Criminal Background

PBEM volunteers often come into contact with vulnerable populations during a deployment, and volunteers have access to government-owned equipment and sensitive information. Therefore, PBEM requires all registered volunteers (NET, BEECN, and ATV) to undertake a criminal background check. The criminal background check is conducted at PBEM's expense, and completed every three years.

Knocking off a convenience store dressed as a luchador with several ostriches as your accomplices will endear you in our hearts but is not likely to encourage your volunteer application. Unless you didn't get caught, of course.

The background check is only on a volunteer's criminal record. PBEM conducts no credit history or credit background check.

Disqualifying Offense Records

Portland NET training is open to everyone, regardless of past offense records; no one will be barred from taking basic training. However, persons whose record includes any convictions listed below may not be certified as a NET/BEECN volunteer and permitted to join a volunteer team.

• Felony
• Sex crime that requires registration
• Stalking offense
• Person crime misdemeanor committed less than ten years ago
• Non-person misdemeanor committed less than three years ago

Exceptions

If a prospective volunteer has a disqualifying conviction related to protest/demonstration activity, PBEM staff may consider facts in the conviction and rescind the disqualification with approval from the PBEM Director.

Criminal Background Check Considerations

1. PBEM does not preserve the details of criminal background checks, and any information obtained through the check is deleted/destroyed after use.
2. Barring unusual circumstances, a background check will be considered valid by PBEM for a period not to exceed three years, after which time the volunteer must undertake a new background check.
3. PBEM will accept a background check conducted for a volunteer by a third party organization, provided the check took place in the prior 18 months before the volunteer became Active and PBEM staff agree the check is adequate.

Completing the Criminal Background Check Requirement

In order to keep costs down, PBEM runs background checks on prospective volunteers when all other activation requirements are met for a volunteer (e.g. completion of basic training). When PBEM is ready to process an Applicant's criminal background, a PBEM representative will reach out to the volunteer to complete the requirement in one of three ways:

1. Provide a copy of a license or permit that requires a criminal background check, such as a medical license or concealed weapon permit.
2. Provide a copy of a criminal background check conducted by a third party within the past 18 months. In this instance, PBEM does not need a detailed report; only whether the background check passed or failed.
3. Use PBEM's criminal background check service, at no cost to the volunteer.