DBS check for work - will an arrest show up?

[PinkMarigolds]

Hi wonder if anyone can give me advice about a DBS check about to be carried out by my employer?

Everyone in the company has been informed that all employees in certain departments will have DBS check carried out. I am in the finance department so will be included. The firm is a regulated financial services company.

The thing is just before I started at this firm 5 years ago I took my previous employer to an industrial tribunal as they made up stories that I had stolen money and sacked me. All totally untrue. When I refused to drop the case they made a false statement to the police about me and I was arrested for questioning. I quickly provided proof that the allegations were untrue and the police took no further action, no charges brought.

However I am now worried the arrest will turn up in the DBS check and I will be sacked. Have never had a DBS check until now.

Please help I am so worried

I look at DBS certificates every day, I've never seen one that states a person had been arrested - even on enhanced checks. Only convictions, cautions and driving charges show as far as I'm aware.

Thanks for the reply, FDC, that's very reassuring.

It's bad enough that I can't go to US on holiday without losing my job as well

Why can't you go to the US?

I'm curious too?

Can't use the ESTA as you are barred if you have any arrests. Technically not eligible to travel to USA if criminal record or any arrests.

Have to apply for full visa and apply for waiver of ineligibility. Very expensive, takes months, have to be interviewed at US Embassy and can be turned down with no right to appeal.

So though I could technically apply for a full visa it just seems like a massive hassle with no guarantee of success

Even false arrests? That's absurd.

How do you think American Airlines workers would find out about an arrest that doesn't even show up on a DBS?

Is there a time limit? I have a friend who was arrested, charged and convicted in the 1980s and has been to the USA twice.

An enhanced DBS check includes any information the police consider relevant as well as information about convictions and cautions. In theory an arrest could be included but I have never seen it on any DBS check. As you proved the allegations were untrue the arrest is irrelevant and will definitely not appear.

Absurd but true, KP. Check out the US Embassy website, it's all there.

Gallon, there's a lot of different opinions on this. The arrest will be on the police national computer. Some people think the police share this info with US immigration, some don't. Police won't confirm either way, I tried via my MP, they refused to comment.

So yes I could chance it by lying on ESTA but not sure if I want to take the risk.

It really is crap when you have done nothing wrong, but that's how it is.

Prh, do financial services require an enhanced check?

Ilovesooty, there is no time limit. Your friend lied on their ESTA and got away with it twice.

How do you think American Airlines workers would find out about an arrest that doesn't even show up on a DBS

An American Airlines worker would not find out but, whilst the US does not have direct access to the PNC, they can request individual records. It is unlikely US border officials would find out but it is possible the OP would be caught by a random check.

Is there a time limit

There do appear to be time limits but I'm not entirely clear what they are for an arrest where the individual is not charged. The OP would need to ask the US embassy if she wants to travel to the US.

That's interesting, I was told it only applied to arrests etc in USA, not another country. I've known a number of people who've gone there on the visa waiver scheme who've spent time in prison. Perhaps they were just lucky?

Prh, do financial services require an enhanced check

Having checked, financial services personnel are only eligible for standard checks. That means your check will only include information on convictions and cautions.

Thanks for taking the time to check that, prh, much apppreciated. A great weight off my mind.

Perhaps they were just lucky

Some offences don't affect an application to travel to the US. Even if the offence is relevant, factors such as your age at the time of the offence and the length of time since conviction or release are relevant. So, even though they spent time in prison, they may have been in the clear. Even if they were not, the US does not have access to the PNC and cannot check every single ESTA application. If someone lies and says they don't have any arrests or convictions for relevant offences they may well get away with it unless their actions make US border officials suspicious or they get caught by a random check.

You are very welcome PinkMarigolds.

Itscurtains, it applies to arrests and convictions anywhere, but obviously US immigration officials have direct access to their own criminal database so those are highly likely to be picked up. Those from other countries have to be specifically requested from that country so not routinely checked.

PinkMarigolds - I have a caution and had to apply for a visa and waiver . Interview at Embassy etc .

I found it v stressful but I don't remember it being that expensive .About £70 7 years ago and valid for 10 IIR.
And was all much quicker ( about 6 weeks ) than I expected from warnings /info received .

Wasn't prepared for the extra questions ( had to explain cicumstances of caution ) to US customs when we changed flights . Embarrasing but survivable .

I can't see that if you applied you wouldn't be succesful so if you did want to visit US ,I'd go for it .

Marigolds And arrest won't show up on the Police National Computer. It shows convictions & pending cases. If you weren't charged merely being arrested as part of an investigation won't show up