The "POST Background Investigation Manual: Guidelines for the Investigator" provides guidance to assist background investigators in the conducting of background investigations of both peace officers and public safety dispatchers. The Manual incorporates the recently-revised Personal History Statements as well as many usable sample forms. It also contains descriptions of the new background investigation dimensions, the statutory and regulatory requirements surrounding background investigations, a step-by-step explanation of the investigative process, a topic-by-topic explanation of the areas of investigation, and the expectations and common problems detected during POST compliance inspections.

The Manual is formatted for, and may be printed, two-sided (back-to-back). Hyperlinks throughout the online Manual allow for easy access to many of the referenced codes, regulations, and other source documents. The Adobe Acrobat bookmark feature can be used to navigate through the Manual.

Revised tabbed dividers for organizing background reports of peace officers and public safety dispatchers are available and may be ordered from the POST Media Distribution Center at 916.227.4856 or by email at publications@post.ca.gov.

Questions about the Manual may be directed to Senior Personnel Selection Consultant, Shelley Weiss Spilberg, Ph.D., Standards and Evaluation Services Bureau, at 916. 227.4824 or by email at shelley.spilberg@post.ca.gov, or to your Regional Consultant. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be added to the upcoming Background Investigation FAQ section on the POST website.