The Background Investigations Unit is tasked to investigate the backgrounds of all applicants. Following successfull completion of the oral and physical abilities examinations, applicants will be given background packet to fill out. The applicant will be contacted as to when and if their background investigation is assigned to an investigator. Until you are contacted by the Background Investigation Unit and are told that your background investigation has begun, your status remains unassigned. If you are unsure of your status, first please refer to the FAQs on background investigations, or you can contact the Background Investigations Unit directly.

Note:If you change your place or residence or mailing address, or there is a change in your employment availability, you must contact the Background Investigations Unit.

Background Packet Documents

An SFPD Police Officer applicant will be required to submit many documents as part of their background packet. As some of these documents require several weeks to obtain, it is best to start compiling them in advance. To expedite the background investigation process, all of the following information should be complete. Incomplete background packets will delay the investigation process.

The following information will be required to complete your background packet:

1. A certified copy of your birth certificate. If you do not have one, you may obtain one from county recorder in city of your birth.
2. Copy of your registration with the Selective Service System. Contact the Selective Service Agency, if needed at (847) 688-6888. Proof of registration can also be obtained at: http://www.sss.gov/ack.htm
3. Copies of your high school and college diploma(s).
4. Official transcript(s) from your high school and college or G.E.D. Certificate and scores. All official transcripts must be sealed.
5. All veterans will be required to provide a copy of form DD214.
6. The SFPD requires Citizenship at the time of appointment. If you have been naturalized, you will be required to provide your Certificate of Naturalization when contacted by your investigator.
7. Have a certified copy or original of Marriage certificate(s) with you at the time of your background interview.
8. Any dissolution and/or divorce decrees.
9. Copies of any restraining orders issued or filed.
10. Copy of your vehicle insurance policy.
11. A recent passport photograph for identification purposes.
12. Certified copies of any bankruptcy proceedings.

Additionally, the Background Investigations Unit will need to know the following for the last ten (10) years:

• Your places of residence.
• Persons with whom you have resided.
• Places of employment.
• Names of coworkers and supervisors.
• Names of all law enforcement agencies with whom you have applied.

Do not bring these items to the testing process. You will need to provide these items when you submit your background packet.

Contacting the Background Investigations Unit

If you been contacted by a background investigator, or need further clarification on the status of your investigation, you can contact the Background Investigations Unit directly:

When contacting the Background Investigation Unit, please be prepared to give the ID of your eligibility list (e.g., E120, E121, etc). No third-party callers are allowed. The current eligibiity lists are listed below for your reference. To find the specific status of an eligibility list, please click on the ID.

Eligibility List   Expiration Date E121 December 26, 2008 E120 May 11, 2008 E123 August 17, 2009 E124 December 26, 2009 E125 April 10, 2009 E126 April 26, 2009 E7U9 April 26, 2009

Change in Place of Residence or Employment Availability

For applicants who are currently going through background investigations, you must inform the Background Investigation Unit of changes in your residence or employment availability.

• Complete and submit a Request For Change of Employment Availability form if you do not want to be considered or employment, or if you want to be reinstated on your eligibility list.
• Complete and submit a Change of Address form if you change your main residence.

Mail the completed forms to the Background Investigation Unit at the address below:

Background Packet Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why haven't you contacted me yet?
What is the status of my application?
Why haven't I been assigned yet?
When will I be assigned?
What rank are you up to now?
Each eligibility list will typically have hundreds of applicants. You will be contacted by telephone by a background investigator when your background is assigned. Not all applicants are chosen for assignment to a background investigator. If a determination is made not to assign your background, you will be contacted by letter and given instructions as to how to proceed. Please note that rank order on the eligibility list is not always a significant factor in the timing of the assignment of background investigations. Backgrounds cannot say when your particular packet will be reviewed or assigned.

Did you receive my packet?
Did you receive my transcripts, etc.?
Is my packet complete?
How can I update you on changes to my packet?
Backgrounds is unable to stop working on investigations in order to locate your package for you, to see what documents are in it, to see if your packet is complete, and/or to accept your updates to your background packets at this time. When your background is assigned to a background investigator, your investigator will review your packet with you for completeness.

What can I expect of my application if the Department is already accepting applications on new eligibility lists?
The SFPD has the ability to work on multiple eligibility lists concurrently, and candidates on the earlier lists are not impacted by the existence of the more recent lists.

When can I contact Backgrounds to find out my status on my eligibility list?
Keep checking back here onto this page of the SFPD website. The Background Investigation Unit will post all updated information regarding the eligibility lists right here on this page. You will not, of course, see your name listed here specifically. You will, however, find all the general eligibility information posted here, as well as information and directions that are specific to those in your rank on the list.

After I have been contacted by a background investigator, what do I need to do next?

• Please respond promptly to all communications from the Background Investigations Unit.
• Please be patient and follow future instructions that will be posted on this page.
• Notify the Background Unit of any change in address or phone number.
• Notify the Background Unit By email if you wish to withdraw from the process.