SR-600-001 (2)
Santa Monica, California
f:/HRshared:Misc-Incl Council:Staff Reports:Fed Criminal Hist.doc
Council Meeting: May 25, 2005
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Access to Summary Criminal History Information from
the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the Purposes of Employment
Background Checks
INTRODUCTION
This report requests that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Human Resources
Department to access summary criminal history information from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) to complete background checks on prospective employees.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Monica is currently authorized to receive state level summary criminal
history information from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) for newly hired
applicants for City employment. Recent legislation allows local agencies to obtain similar
information from the California DOJ and FBI for out-of-state convictions. Santa Monica
Municipal Code Section 2.04.240 ?Application for Examinations? requires that the Human
Resources Department assess suitability for employment, in part, by determining whether
or not an applicant has been convicted of any violation that would prohibit the City from
hiring the applicant. The attached resolution would enable the California DOJ to include
both California and out-of-state conviction information in their summary reports to the City
of Santa Monica.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The current cost of fingerprinting and obtaining criminal history information is $32 per
applicant. An additional $24 would provide federal level summary criminal history
information from the FBI. Funds for the federal information will be budgeted in the Police
Department next fiscal year. Sufficient funds are available in the Police budget for costs
incurred this fiscal year.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Human Resources
Department to obtain access to summary criminal history information from the Federal
Bureau of Investigation for employment purposes.
Attachment: See adopted Resolution No. 10040 (CCS).
Prepared By: Karen Bancroft, Director of Human Resources