Ban-the-box was one of the favorite topics in the Los Angeles employment industry last summer.
A two-year-old law forbidding employers from posing certain questions about a job applicant’s criminal past shot back into the news. Mayor Garcetti of Los Angeles made headlines when he said the same policy should be adopted by colleges and universities.
A more ticklish question:
Where does law enforcement fit into this application minefield? Shouldn’t police and sheriff’s departments know if a prospective cop has a nasty history?
What is the Culver City Police Dept. policy?
Chief Scott Bixby said the state law does not apply to his department.
“We still ask certain questions and applicants sign waivers,” Mr. Bixby said. “Of course they are free to agree not to give the information we need.”
There is a price to pay.
“If they don’t agree,” the chief said, “the application process ends right there.”
Those words are theoretical, however, because refusal is not a factor.
“In my whole career,” said the department lifer, “I cannot ever remember anyone refusing to answer those questions.”
(To be continued)
