Criminal Background Check Policy

In order to perform our due diligence in protecting the well being and safety of the children, youth, and special education adults we serve, Bannockburn Baptist Church performs criminal background checks on all employees, volunteers and interns. The church deems it necessary and advisable as a matter of policy to reserve the right to disqualify and prohibit persons from serving as an employee or volunteer who have been arrested for, convicted of, been on probation for, or received deferred adjudication for any disqualifying offense. Criminal Background Checks will be conducted on all employees and volunteers and will be repeated every three years or as often as deemed necessary by the church.

Guidelines for Determining Disqualification

The following offenses are grounds for disqualification regardless of any extenuating circumstances:

Procedures

In order to screen prospective employees and volunteers, Bannockburn Baptist Church adopts the following procedure:

1. Application:  Each employee or volunteer is required to fill out an application.
   
   
2. References:  On the application, each employee is required to provide three references.
   
   
3. Personal Interview:  Each prospective volunteer or employee will undergo a brief interview with the appropriate church staff or director.
   
   
4. Criminal Background Checks:  Each prospective employee or volunteer will give written consent for a criminal background check, conducted by the company or agency Bannockburn Baptist Church selects. The form of authorization will be that prescribed by the company or agency selected. The church will employ no employee or volunteer without this authorization. 
   
   
5. Grievance Process:  If a person is disqualified from employment or placement with Bannockburn Baptist Church based upon information received, and, if upon reviewing that information the person feels that the information is wrong or it is not his or her record, the person may request a fingerprint check from DPS as a method of positive identification unless the person can prove by other means that he or she is not the person indicated on the criminal record. An individual may view the disputed criminal history transcript, but may not have a copy of it.

I hereby give permission for Bannockburn Baptist Church to obtain information relating to my Criminal History Record.  The Criminal History Record, as received from the reporting agencies, may include arrest and conviction data, as well as plea bargains and deferred adjunction.  I understand that this information will be used, in part, to determine my eligibility for an employment/volunteer position with this organization.  I also understand that as long as I remain an employee or volunteer here, the Criminal History Record check may be repeated at any time.  I understand that I will have an opportunity to review my Criminal History Record if requested and a procedure is available for clarification, if I dispute the record as received.

I, the undersigned, do, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, hereby remise, release and forever discharge and agree to indemnify the search company and Bannockburn Baptist Church, and each of their officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from and against any and all causes of actions, suits, liabilities, costs, debts and sums of money, claims and demands whatsoever, and any and all related attorney’s fees, court costs, and other expenses resulting with my application to become a volunteer/staff member.

Note: If applicant is less than eighteen (18) years of age, a parent or legal guardian MUST come to the church office to sign the application.