What Happens During the RPSO Background Check: What You'll Be Asked and What They Review
Applying for a job with the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office (RPSO) means going through a background process that looks at far more than criminal history. Here's what they review, what the form asks you to disclose, and what you should gather before you start.
RPSO's background review is broad by design. They'll look at your criminal history, driving record, and credit. They'll also dig into your employment history, military service, and education. Personal references matter here - the form puts real weight on who you list and how easy they are to reach. The goal is a full picture of your suitability, not just one slice of your past.
Note: By submitting your application, you’re authorizing RPSO to review and fully disclose a wide range of records - education, employment and pre-employment records, background reports, efficiency ratings, financial information, and criminal and traffic arrest or conviction records.
One of the first detailed items you'll tackle is your address history. The form asks for all residences from the past five years, starting with where you live now. If you've moved frequently, slow down and double-check that dates and addresses line up. This is the kind of detail that's easy to get wrong when you're rushing.
- ✓ Three character references (no relatives and no employers)
- ✓ Each reference’s name
- ✓ Each reference’s address
- ✓ Each reference’s city/state
- ✓ Each reference’s phone number
The form doesn't just ask about you - it also asks about your spouse in certain areas. One direct question: do you or your spouse have any criminal proceedings pending? If yes, don't just check the box. Provide a clear, straightforward explanation in the space provided.
You'll also need to disclose felony history in a very specific way. The form asks whether you've ever been charged with, arrested for, pled guilty to, or convicted of a felony. If yes, you must explain - including dates and the arresting agency. Being vague here usually backfires. Gather the exact details before you start filling it out.
Traffic history is part of the review too. The form asks whether you've ever received a traffic citation or been involved in an accident. Answer yes? You'll need to explain and include dates and the issuing agency. Pulling together your timeline ahead of time makes this section much easier to complete accurately.
Employment questions go beyond job titles and dates. The form asks whether you've ever been the subject of a misconduct investigation by an employer. If yes, you're required to explain. Write your answer carefully and keep it consistent with anything that might appear in your employment records.
Documents Required
- ✓ Birth certificate
- ✓ High school diploma or GED certificate
- ✓ College transcript and/or degree
- ✓ Current driver’s license
- ✓ Social Security card
The paperwork includes a broad authorization and release. By applying, you authorize RPSO to review and fully disclose records related to your educational background, employment and pre-employment records (including background reports and efficiency ratings), financial information, and criminal and traffic arrest or conviction records. The language also lets agencies or individuals contacted by RPSO release any information RPSO considers pertinent. The application includes a release protecting RPSO - and anyone who provides background information - from liability for furnishing that information.
Confidentiality: RPSO states that information obtained during the background investigation is confidential, and if your application is rejected, the reason for the rejection will not be revealed to you.
- Build your five-year address timeline - list every residence from the past five years, starting with your current address.
- Choose three character references (not relatives or employers) - collect each person’s name, address, city/state, and phone number before you start.
- Write down details for any felony-related history - if you’ve ever been charged, arrested, pled guilty, or been convicted of a felony, be ready with dates and the arresting agency.
- Prepare an explanation for any pending criminal proceedings - the form asks whether you or your spouse have criminal proceedings pending and requires an explanation if yes.
- Pull together your traffic history - if you’ve had citations or accidents, note the dates and issuing agency so you can answer consistently.
- Think through any employer misconduct investigations - if you’ve ever been the subject of one, plan a clear explanation that matches your records.
Before you submit anything, make sure you have copies of the required documents ready: your birth certificate, high school diploma or GED, college transcript and/or degree (if applicable), current driver's license, and Social Security card. Having these on hand keeps your background packet from stalling while you track down paperwork.
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