In recent history across the country more coaches have been found to commit crimes and still were able to coach. In Maryland a soccer organization changed their background screening policies after a coach was arrested for illicit behavior with a minor. A rowing coach in Michigan was arrested for illegally recording female students changing from standard clothing to athletic outfits. In Florida a high school coach was arrested for drug related offenses which sparked an investigation. The school district said it would work to ensure that people with a criminal past don’t slip through the cracks. Previously an assistant coach failed to disclose his criminal history on an employment application and was recently accused of running a multi-state drug ring. The goal for this school district and other organizations hiring coaches is to strengthen their employment screening efforts in order to protect children who are considered an at-risk population.
The best way to deter malfeasant coaching applications and thwart previous criminals from gaining access to at-risk populations in positions including coaching positions is to create a strong background screening policy that is thorough and current. Such a policy if implemented and well publicized creates a barrier to entry that acts as a deterrent for individuals seeking to harm or exploit at-risk populations primarily children or young adults. With all these current headlines about coaches with criminal pasts and previous behavior of harming or exploiting children and young adults it should be mandatory across the country for all coaching positions to go through a rigorous vetting process before hiring them.
The best way a school or other organization can help prevent crimes against children is to work with a professional third-party background screening company. Such an alliance can help create a background screening process that deters certain criminals from gaining employment as a coach or other position with unsupervised time with children. Additionally the background screening company has the ability to conduct multiple kinds of background checks to thoroughly vet all job applicants. Reports include criminal background checks, social security number trace, federal courts search, driving records check, employment verification, education verification and the all-important personal and professional reference checks.
To read more about this subject read recent press release found at: http://www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com/news/2016-7-12-Background-Screening-Paid-and-Volunteer-Coaches-Should-Be-Mandatory.html