Background Checks and Certified Instructors

F

FranCrimi

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Should background checks be mandatory for Certified Instructors?

I had a background check done on myself and I keep it handy, especially when I'm being interviewed by parents to teach their child.

Certain organizations require teachers or people who work with kids to have a background check done. Why not for pool?

Even if they don't teach kids, should Certified Instructors have a background check of themselves ready to present to prospective clients?

Fran ----> Been Verified
 
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FranCrimi said:
Should background checks be mandatory for Certified Instructors?

I had a background check done on myself and I keep it handy, especially when I'm being interviewed by parents to teach their child.

Certain organizations require teachers or people who work with kids to have a background check done. Why not for pool?

Even if they don't teach kids, should Certified Instructors have a background check of themselves ready to present to perspective clients?

Fran ----> Been Verified
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I would agree, but I would NOT use the "mandatory" part. Rather, use the background check (e.g. performed by Lexis-Nexis) as a "coupe de gras" as to why you're the best qualified to teach in a situation as you describe -- i.e. being interviewed by parents to teach their child.

I have no choice in my line of work; I have my background check on file (and a personal copy) to present to customers in the government/municipal sectors, etc., because it's mandatory in these environments. Additionally, many of my customers require pee-pee tests, and I have to submit to these probably about once a year or two.

But in a public sport like pool, I think making it mandatory treads on privacy boundaries. It's not like a school teacher or public educator position entrusted with little children -- where you obviously have to screen for pedophiles.

If one is capable of passing a background check, then by all means do it -- it's that extra "coupe de gras" insurance that you prove to your customers you are who you say you are. You'll have the leg up over others that can't show this kind of proof. That goes not just for pool, but for all industries / disciplines.

Great thread,
-Sean
 
FranCrimi said:
Should background checks be mandatory for Certified Instructors?

I had a background check done on myself and I keep it handy, especially when I'm being interviewed by parents to teach their child.

Certain organizations require teachers or people who work with kids to have a background check done. Why not for pool?

Even if they don't teach kids, should Certified Instructors have a background check of themselves ready to present to prospective clients?

Fran ----> Been Verified
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Not mandatory but optional .. it is a great selling point. I like to know anyone coming into my house is a GOOD citizen. I do not have kids but would be more likely to employ a "Cleared" insured, bonded instructor if I did have kids.
I'm a little shaky about strangers in my house. Table mechanics, plumbers, etc. I tend to check people out before I open the door.
Certified with references is a plus for anyone...especially teachers/instructors.
 
Is this a solution looking for a problem? Are there any documented cases of a pool instructor doing something criminal?

How valuable is it to have a background check on file? They are for a snapshot in time and worth less and less as time goes by.

If a student, their parent, or an organization request a background check, then sure, agree to a background check. Mandatory, no.
 
I agree that background checks are time sensitive. But I would think that the certifying body should require one for potential instructors that they are going to be certifying before they do certify them & also require background checks on every instructor at least once a year if not every six(6) months.

My city requires background checks of all volunteer coaches for even out in the open playground enviroments. There are peripheral issues that can occur once an association has been made.

I am not suggesting that any instructor would do anything illegal but here is a hypothetical.

I bring an instructor into my home (perhaps a gated community) and after the lesson he or she walks or drives down the street & robs my neighbor's house or breaks into their car or worse rapes someone & gets caught. Then my neighbor finds out that it was me that invited him into our neighborhood. I for one would certainly not want that to happen.

Imagine the devastation that could be done to the instructor profession & the game itself if it was reported on national news that a _ _ _ _ certified billiards instructor was caught after a home invasion or a rape just down the street from where they had just given a pool lesson.

If an instructor fails to pass a backgound check the certifying body should sever all ties & make it known to potential clientele that does their due diligence that that instructor is no longer certified by them due to their failure to pass a background check & perhaps also take legal action if that individual is misrepresenting themselves as still being associated with the certifying body.

Some may be of the opinion that this is overkill but I doubt that they would think so if such did happen. If background checks can keep one such individual from being certified & use such for access & credibilty & prevent one rape it in no way can be considered overkill.

Someone asked if this was a solution looking for a problem. I think the proper answer to the question should be that it would be a preventive measure before any such problem ocurrs because then it may be too late & severe damage could be virtually irreparable.

All of the above are just my non certified instructor opinions & simply food for thought.

Regards &
 
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But then again a certain football coach from Penn State had, degrees, State certification, background checks and a sterling reputation.
 
Buzzard II said:
But then again a certain football coach from Penn State had, degrees, State certification, background checks and a sterling reputation.
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If someone has a criminal record & it shows up in a background check that would prevent them from gaining a position to commit crimes while in that position.

Background checks are not to prevent crime but to prevent association with past criminals.

So are you saying that because he went undetected for 10 years no one should do background checks.

With all due respect, I don't understand the point of your statement.
 
Buzzard II said:
But then again a certain football coach from Penn State had, degrees, State certification, background checks and a sterling reputation.
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Did he really have a sterling rep? I thought those that knew just kept quiet about it.

Besides, we may not be able to prevent the criminal from committing the first offense, but I like the idea of preventing a second one or more. I can't imagine parents not wanting to know if their kid's teacher has a criminal record.
 
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I would not support mandatory background checks for all instructors. If someone wants to pay to have the background check and put that on their credentials thats all well and good. Some may consider it to be an invasion of privacy but I don't know who is going to handle the administrative paperwork and maintenance of the records. The added expense might result in fewer instructors. Maybe a top secret clearance is needed. I believe it would add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy to a declining sport. Opinions will vary but I would not support it.
 
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Why don't we just lock everyone in cages and let them out only with permission from the "sane" ones? Or how about putting bubble wrap around all the poor, defenseless little pool players so they don't have any opportunities for anything anymore?

What is the **** it the matter with you people? I'm sitting here stunned.

Jeff Livingston
 
My wife and I had to have background checks because my daughter is adopting two boys through the state of Florida and the boys sometimes stay with us.

We went to UPS for finger printing. It cost $38.00 each and the results were sent to the state. The whole process at UPS took about ten minutes each.

I don't know the legalities of it but it seems there might be some sort of due diligence when an organization "certifies" a person to go into homes. It would be worth checking with an attorney who knows about such things. Perhaps there is a need for some alternate process where a person associated with BCA is not certified for private lessons. At the least I would think that certification states the circumstances under which a person is certified. Otherwise the public can make assumptions and we live in a litigation prone society.

If I were in the BCA administration I would definitely check into the potential liabilities. Murphy's law applies.

It would be an easy matter to set forth the requirements for private instruction. Get finger printed at UPS with the results sent to BCA. Upon receipt and clearance the certificate would be stamped. The certificate would state "not certified for private instruction unless stamped." BCA would only need a file cabinet with the certificates on file. As part of their certification members would be required to report any change in their status or there would be immediate removal from the list. An attorney would surely have to review that caveat.

The flip side of that is carrying malpractice insurance. Go into some neurotic person's home and you could wind up with one heck of a law suit. I can't imagine that such insurance or bonding would be all that expensive if BCA established a relationship with a company. An instructor should never put their hands on a student to avoid any sort of possible impropriety.

All of this adds to the credibility of a profession.

In view of protecting the public the BCA should also have an ethics committee composed of players, admin, and an attorney. The committee would be charged with reviewing any complaints. Such a committee would also have the power to revoke a certificate for any period of time including complete removal from membership.

There should also be a set of ethical guidelines for instructors stating what is and what is not acceptable behavior. If you want to be professional in our society there are responsibilities to be met.
 
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One alternative to all of this is a statement on the certificate that indicates there is no moral or ethical evaluation of the certificate holder's ability to practice. Buyer beware so to speak.

I doubt that the membership would like that statement but there are some responsibilities here.
 
That's exactly what I was thinking, Joe. There are potential ramifications all around. I'd hate to see an organization that is trying to do something good get tangled in a lawsuit. At the least, a disclaimer should be issued. But I'm not even sure if that's good enough. Legal advice should definitely be sought out. That goes for all organizations that certify cue sports instructors, not just the PBIA.

The BCA/PBIA Instructor Program has a code of conduct for it's instructors but I haven't seen it enforced, judging by some of the outrageous conduct of some of their instructors in this forum.
 
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dr9ball said:
I would not support mandatory background checks for all instructors. If someone wants to pay to have the background check and put that on their credentials thats all well and good. Some may consider it to be an invasion of privacy but I don't know who is going to handle the administrative paperwork and maintenance of the records. The added expense might result in fewer instructors. Maybe a top secret clearance is needed. I believe it would add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy to a declining sport. Opinions will vary but I would not support it.
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What are you trying to hide Rufus??? :D


J/K, hope things are going well for you.
Scott
 
Scott, not trying to hide anything. It's the principle of the matter. Maybe we should just show potential students our concealed carry permits. That way they will know that we understand the defensive game and have passed a background check. Of course the radical liberals won't like that either.
 
"Criminal" records?

FranCrimi said:
Should background checks be mandatory for Certified Instructors?

I had a background check done on myself and I keep it handy, especially when I'm being interviewed by parents to teach their child.

Certain organizations require teachers or people who work with kids to have a background check done. Why not for pool?

Even if they don't teach kids, should Certified Instructors have a background check of themselves ready to present to prospective clients?

Fran ----> Been Verified
Click to expand...

I was arrested for gambling in 1968 and for possession of pot in 1972.
Would you have the PBIA and the ACS revoke my Certification?
 
Donny Lutz said:
I was arrested for gambling in 1968 and for possession of pot in 1972.
Would you have the PBIA and the ACS revoke my Certification?
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I have no idea what parameters an organization would set. You'll have to contact those organizations and ask them that question if you want an answer, and my guess would be that they couldn't give you an answer until they've gotten proper legal advice.
 
Your opinion?

FranCrimi said:
I have no idea what parameters an organization would set. You'll have to contact those organizations and ask them that question if you want an answer, and my guess would be that they couldn't give you an answer until they've gotten proper legal advice.
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You brought the issue up. That's why I directed my question to you.
 
Donny Lutz said:
You brought the issue up. That's why I directed my question to you.
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Let me help:

I would be in favor of a 40 year statute of limitations for most offenses. However, I would consider minor moving violations to be much more serious, requiring a life long ban. So if you don't have any speeding tickets you will be alright.

Not an instructor here, but maybe I'll run for congress.
 
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