Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional Practice Exam

What can you do regarding a person's criminal record when reviewing if someone is to be provided security clearance?

1. See if a person has worked for legal authorities

2. See if a person has been fined

3. Review one's arrest record

4. Analyze any possible bargaining efforts

The correct answer is: Review one's arrest record

When assessing a person’s suitability for security clearance, reviewing their arrest record is crucial. An arrest record can provide insight into a person’s past behavior and any potential risks they may pose in terms of security. It allows decision-makers to evaluate the nature of the offenses, the circumstances surrounding the arrests, and any patterns of behavior that might be relevant to the person's reliability, trustworthiness, or ability to handle sensitive information. An arrest record is particularly significant because it reflects law enforcement’s interaction with the individual, indicating possible underlying issues that could affect their judgment or reliability. Access to this information is typically part of a comprehensive background investigation that informs whether or not an individual can be trusted with security-sensitive responsibilities. The other options, while they may provide some context about a person's character or past, do not offer the same direct relevance when making security clearance determinations. For example, checking if someone has worked for legal authorities could suggest exposure to law enforcement without necessarily indicating anything about their criminal conduct. Similarly, reviewing fines may reflect minor infractions but might not provide critical insights regarding criminal behavior. Analyzing bargaining efforts may not be applicable or appropriate in this context, as it does not relate directly to assessing a person's criminal history or suitability for security clearance.