(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to authorize the Police Department to conduct computerized history, and driver’s license history, background checks on applicants for employment positions in the city, volunteers in the city programs providing services to children or vulnerable adults, and applicants for city permits, licenses, or other approvals. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the city from conducting comprehensive background investigations, including, but not limited to, accessing public data through other automated, and non-automated, sources, and contacting references of applicants for city employment positions, or for city permits, licenses, or other approvals. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the city from periodically conducting a driver’s license inquiry upon employees, or volunteers, where possession of a valid driver’s license is an essential qualification of the position.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates, or requires, a different meaning.
COMPUTERIZED CRIMINAL HISTORY. Criminal histories obtained through the State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s computerized criminal history system.
DRIVER’S LICENSE HISTORY. A listing of driver’s license violations recorded by the State Department of Public Safety.
(C) Authorization. The Police Department is authorized to conduct computerized criminal history, and driver’s license histories, on applicants for city employment, on volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults, and on applicants for city permits, licenses, or other approvals. Before the investigation is undertaken, the applicant must authorize the Police Department, in writing, to undertake the investigation, and to release the information to the City Council, and other city staff as appropriate. Should the city reject the application due, partially or solely, to the applicant’s prior conviction of a crime, the city shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the following:
(1) The grounds, and reason, for denial;
(2) The applicable complaint and grievance procedure set forth in M.S. § 364.06, as it may be amended from time to time;
(3) The earliest date the applicant may reapply for employment; and
(4) All competent evidence of rehabilitation will be considered upon reapplication.
(Prior Code, § 2.52) (Ord. 204, second series, passed 7-17-2007)