Why So Many Organizations Are Choosing Ongoing Criminal Monitoring

Background Screening | March 24, 2022

What is ongoing criminal monitoring? Can it benefit my organization? We have the answers you’re looking for.

Ongoing criminal monitoring, often referred to as continuous criminal monitoring, is a proactive complement to traditional contractor background checks. For many service networks, there is typically a two-year gap between traditional contractor background screenings, and this solution monitors potential criminal activity between each of these screening cycles.

How Does Ongoing Criminal Monitoring Work?

Ongoing monitoring is the continuous process of checking and reviewing county-level criminal records on an individual that may create safety concerns or internal threats to your organization. 

At PlusOne Solutions, we use the individual’s name and date of birth to obtain almost real-time information from a large percentage of the United States county jails and Department of Corrections facilities. While monitoring, this solution will typically provide us with notification within 24 hours of an arrest, booking event, or incarceration. These alerts provide information in a more timely manner over a larger geographic area than local-level county record checks. 

Is Ongoing Criminal Monitoring FCRA-Compliant?

Yes. At PlusOne Solutions, our continuous criminal monitoring service is compliant with the requirements of the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). Any monitoring alerts that are received are verified at the county level search to determine if the monitoring event led to a formal charge being filed. The charge record information then also needs to be reviewed according to EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) guidelines. This considers the gravity and nature of the offense, the nature of the job that the individual will be doing, and the recency of the offense to accurately and fairly determine if the alert and subsequent charge will be relevant to their work in a customer’s service network.

Will This Benefit My Organization?

Ongoing criminal monitoring provides our Customers with an extra layer of due diligence and provides them with a way to protect their business, consumers, and brand reputation from potential behaviors that could harm them. Organizations that use contractor networks of varying sizes often find themselves challenged with maintaining compliance during their relationship with the contractor – especially since many of these relationships can last for years. Continuous criminal record allows for higher compliance standards to be achieved by these organizations.

Some organizations may add self-reporting options to their contracts to encourage the contractor to proactively report any potential issues, but these stipulations are often not followed or enforced, and it can be difficult to rely on them exclusively. 

In a one-year period, our team at PlusOne Solutions received more than 550 alerts on a combined population of over 25,000 individuals that were in active roles in their service network. Among the most significant alerts that we received were two felony first-degree murder charges. This solution has returned a wide variety of alerts across our customers’ network populations, including:

• First-degree assault
• Kidnapping
• Concealed weapons
• Robbery
• Aggravated assault
• Domestic violence
• And more

This solution can protect your brand and your customers from the increased level of risk that may come with the individuals who may perpetrate these crimes.

PlusOne Solutions is Here For Your Compliance and Risk Management Needs

From ongoing criminal monitoring and beyond, we’re here to help you keep your organization protected from the financial, legal, and reputational risks associated with contractor and vendor relationships. Contact us today to learn more about the solutions we have to offer.

Contents are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Users are reminded to seek legal counsel with respect to their obligations and use of PlusOne Solutions services.

About PlusOne Solutions

PlusOne Solutions has been an industry leader in the risk management field by specializing in compliance programs that meet the complex challenges of geographically dispersed contractors, vendors, and employee networks. PlusOne Solutions protects companies from possible financial, legal, and reputational risks associated with contractor and vendor relationships while creating safer work environments. To learn more, visit https://www.PlusOneSolutions.net.