Fire department begins federal background checks

DOWNEY - The City Council this week authorized a resolution that allows Downey's fire chief to fingerprint prospective employees for federal background checks.The fire department already fingerprints job applicants, employees, volunteers and licensure applicants for California criminal history information. The resolution passed this week allows Fire Chief Lonnie Croom to also access their federal criminal history through the Department of Justice and FBI. "The purpose of this program is to provide a measure of safety and security for the community and workplace by using validated information to verify an applicant's identity and ensure there are no disqualifying criminal convictions omitted from the candidate's application," Croom wrote in a report to council members.

********** Published: April 25, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 02