Public Safety Agencies Shift Hiring to Digital Background Checks

Guardian’s network grew to 1,388 active agencies by the end of August, including 72 private firms specializing in public safety background checks. The platform currently manages over 360,000 applicant records for 14,600 users, marking a transition away from traditional, resource-intensive vetting methods. President Justin Biedinger noted that agencies are prioritizing speed without compromising investigation quality, identifying a tipping point in how police departments manage recruitment.

The system’s Triage Center allows departments to digitally pre-screen applicants before committing to full investigations, a process that significantly lowers administrative costs. By identifying disqualifying information early, agencies like Philadelphia have quadrupled their academy candidate volume. As the network expands, departments benefit from increased visibility into applicant activity across overlapping jurisdictions, allowing for more secure coordination when reviewing shared candidates.