Question: How should I handle applicants who have a high number of "Prefer not to answer" responses on their BRAINS questionnaire, and how should this be reflected in the report?

Answer: When applicants have a high number of "Prefer not to answer" responses, it is best to assume they either do not want to discuss personal details or are willing to discuss them one-on-one but do not want this information getting back to the employer. This dynamic is critical as employers need to know if applicants are hiding information that could become significant issues later. To address the material, look for themes such as drugs, finances, or abuse rather than going through all the items individually.In the report, note that the applicant was less than forthright during the application process. This should not be a surprise to the employer, as the background investigator should have seen the same thing. Highlighting this behavior is important as it indicates potential future issues with transparency and honesty.

Question:
Questions related to suitability for a deputy sheriff position because of inconsistencies in his responses regarding misconduct during the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), a history of speeding tickets, excessive alcohol consumption, and a lack of complete work history on his F-3 form. Significant integrity issues due to his denial of being asked to leave BLET despite previous statements indicating otherwise.

Answer:
The culmination of issues leads to a Not Suitable (NS) rating unless he had admitted to the offenses during the interview, it might have warranted a (WBS) rating. The discrepancies in the candidate’s account regarding BLET and other weaknesses in his application raise significant concerns about his integrity, influencing the decision against suitability.