Legally Sufficient Background Investigations

This comprehensive 3-day online training program goes well beyond basic procedural instruction, instead focusing on the critical question of why organizations must conduct legally sufficient background investigations and the serious consequences that arise when they fail to do so. While practical methodology is covered, the course emphasizes the legal and organizational implications of inadequate vetting practices.

Participants will examine real-world risks associated with hiring decisions and explore current industry best practices designed to mitigate exposure. The program analyzes failures at three key stages: the investigation phase, the vetting phase, and the screening process. Throughout, instructors examine these topics within the framework of applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation standards that govern personnel selection in law enforcement.

The curriculum addresses:

• Legal liability implications of deficient background investigations affecting both new hires and lateral transfers
• Organizational consequences of investigation failures and how to identify warning signs during the screening process
• The expanding role of cybervetting in modern investigations
• Relevant federal statutes and key court precedents that shape practice
• Accreditation standards and compliance obligations
• Proven investigation methodologies applicable to your department
• Documentation standards and record retention requirements

Upon completion, attendees will possess both the conceptual understanding of why background investigations matter and the practical skills needed to conduct thorough, legally defensible candidate screening while maintaining compliance with applicable law.

Program Details: This is a 3-day online course scheduled for November 18–20, 2026. Sessions run from 10 AM to 5 PM EST each day. The cost is $595 per student. Participants must engage actively in discussions and assignments and complete all course requirements to receive a certificate of completion.

Instructors: The Daigle Law Group assembles multiple background investigation experts to deliver instruction that draws on diverse professional experience. The primary instructor is Attorney Joseph Race, an Associate Attorney at Daigle Law Group who specializes in policy and accreditation matters. Race is a retired Madison (Connecticut) Police Captain who guided his department to achieve dual CALEA and Connecticut Tier III Accreditation. He holds credentials as a CALEA Assessment Team Leader, graduated from Quinnipiac Law School, and is admitted to the Connecticut bar and U.S. District Court. His professional development includes completion of the Southern Police Institute's 76th Command Officers Course and the FBI National Academy's 270th Session. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and remains actively engaged in accreditation initiatives. The course also features instruction from Attorney Eric Daigle and Attorney Eric Atstupenas, bringing comprehensive expertise in background investigation law and practice.