Background Investigation Manual
Please note that the Background Investigation Manual (pdf) was revised in November 2024. Updates (pdf) include legislative and regulatory changes from the previous edition.
Guidelines for the Investigator
The "POST Background Investigation Manual: Guidelines for the Investigator" provides guidance to assist background investigators in the conduct of background investigations of both peace officers and public safety dispatchers. The Manual contains descriptions of the statutory and regulatory requirements that must be addressed as part of the background investigation. The Personal History Statements and other sample forms are included, along with 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.
Publication
Personal History Statements
Agencies may request “unprotected” versions of these forms for agency-specific use only. Requests for unprotected versions of the forms, as well as administrative questions about the forms, should be directed to POST Forms Manager. Substantive questions about these forms should be directed to Kelli Surawski of the Standards, Evaluation, and Research Bureau at (916) 894-9523.
Sample Forms
Tabbed Dividers for Organizing Background Reports
POST no longer provides background tabs to agencies/organizations for use in background files. However, POST highly recommends that background investigators continue using tabs to ensure completeness of the files as well as to assist POST personnel during audit inspections.
Tabs may be downloaded and printed or ordered in black and white and shipped directly from the FedEx Doc Store.