Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Cooke & Associates, Inc. to Conduct Background Investigations for Pre-Employment and Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) License Applicants, for a Total Amount Not-to-Exceed $250,000. (Police 10031100)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The minimum selection standards for Peace Officer, Public Safety Dispatcher, and all other positions within the Alameda Police Department (APD) include a background investigation. Additionally, APD conducts background investigations for other city departments and for residents applying for Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) licenses.
The cost of one investigation starts at $1,700. APD currently outsources this responsibility to licensed private investigators and a licensed private investigations firm, Cooke & Associates, Inc. All costs are borne by APD. The new agreement for Cooke & Associates will be five years for a total compensation amount not-to-exceed $250,000.
BACKGROUND
Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4 of the Government Code sets the minimum peace officer selection standards. In California, every peace officer must be:
- Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions,
- Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law,
- At least 21 years of age,
- Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record,
- Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation,
- A high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by the California Department of Education, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution, and
- Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, ge...
Click here for full text