Now that the CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS for officials have become a reality, I must admit that I have more questions than answers on this issue...
When we are seeking out pedophiles and trying to be sure that they don't work junior tennis tournaments, I have no problems or issues with the background checks. However, if we are doing this just to find out private details of people's lives, then I have questions.
Here are some of my question areas:
1. Are we seeking out only felony convictions? If so, does any felony conviction disqualify an official or only those dealing with sex?
2. Who will see the results of the background checks? Will it be a small USTA group or a large committee?
3. How will we guarantee the confidentiality of those who see the results?
4. Will the results be shared with referees all over the country so we know who not to hire?
5. If an official is "not certified" will we be told the reason why?
To be honest, I'm not sure what I feel about this issue. I have misgivings both ways.
What do you think????
20 comments:
My big question is how the USTA will ensure those failing the test are not allowed to officiate at any event. The only way to do that is to publish a list of banned officials.
I bet we will see a lot of officials deciding they have had enough of officiating and quit. But the real reason will be because they failed the background check.
Is there a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" section of the background check?
What is the justification for the law "NEED TO KNOW." I'm thinking along the lines of Randy, what the real issue, who will see the results, Will district,s referee's see the results in order not to hire someone. It seems like this would be a real good case for some lawyer to take the USTA to court. Let all officials start their own union or organization and be very selective in working USTA events. When the USTA cannot hire officials maybe they will change thier song and dance.
Is there a question on the form for pro officials about sleeping with other officials' spouses?
I'm wondering whether those officials who altered their visas in Greece will be subject to this...also other officials who were arrested for various offenses, including narcotics, and then hired back for the Open. My basic concern is whether it is going to affect EVERYONE regardless of certification level, or, as in the usual fashion of the USTA, just those of us who aren't in the precious metal category.
You can Blame This for the USTA's big push for DIVERSITY!!! They asked for it, they got it.
When you think about it - do you really need a USTA membership to officiate? Who checks our membership? Why pick on me? I was just smoking a joint in the DFW bathroom between flights to work challengers (I was numbing myself - because I realized i was NOT breaking even on expenses). It wasn't like I was touching shoes under the stalls!!! And for this I cannot work with all the other CRAZY'S - it does not seem fair!
Why not add 'random' or even 'mandatory' drug tests while their at it? This would surely cut down the size of the background test pool.
Or, how about a phase-in quiet period, say 3-months, where officials could self-retire. This would have a dual effect of eliminating the costs of the screening test for the USTA and also allow those officials who do to avoid the embarrassment factor.
Will the USTA really decertify the inner sanctum officials who
have felony assaults or just cover it up as usual. I have searched public criminal databases and there are many who work regularly for decades.
What about domestic violence? That
is assault on a person. Is lack of domestic violence charges a requirement for certification?
OK then, I won't beat my wife any more, although she liked it.
This is not a test, but an investigation, based on what criteria???
Just pedophiles, or anyone with a sexual harassment record false or not, or maybe a racial harassment charge false or not,
or maybe a messy divorce with domestic violence accusations false or not
or an unregistered weapon traffic violation ???? but all these in the public record for whom to be sifting,
and to whom be giving the info, and by whom identifying the perps unwanted,
and when the aclu and naacp gets through with it,
tennis officiating will be volunteers paid under the table without unions and potentates,
just hired guns ready to be a friend at court for some tournament somewhere.
Here's a suggestion that would inprove the officiating quality at any event.
Ban Karaoke Nights!! I wonder how many officials come in the next day with a hangover? I've personally seen many come dragging in after a late night Karaoke. And on hot days, they sweat like stuck pigs.
Hey Anon, Congrats on stopping the wife beating. Now that was funny.....
Looks like we will be losing two officials from the Brazos Valley before this is all over with. One with mental problems carries a gun and the other used to carry a big ole knife until an arrestment occurred.
Speaking of guns, I thought you had to be mentally stable to get a concealed handgun license. We had all better watch out and not piss a certain official off.
WOWOWOW!!! MAN - I am running with a DANGEROUS crowd - and I did not even know it (maybe it is better that way)! Gun and Knife carriers, narcotics users, husband and wife stealers, wife beaters and mostlikely husband beaters, bathroom pot smokers and WORST OF ALL KARAOKE SINGERS!!! I am going back to officiating bird watching tournaments. You guys are CRAZY!!!
Oh oh Big Jim is going straight to hell for making rude comments.
I know exactly who Big Jim is talking about. I can't wait to see how the background checks come out.
I've got a strange feeling that the USTA will have and even greater need for officials after this all pans out.
I wonder if the USTA suits will come looking for those officials they previously cut loose when the DIVERSITY focus started.....to fill the ranks of the soon to be departed folks? Background checks can & will pull out an amazing plethora of interesting tidbits.
I followed the instructions and provided the information required by NCSI for the background check. I did not like it but I did it. After about 10 days they asked me for a copy of my drivers license/passport/birth certificate. I called to see why they need this info and was told that since I had a common name they needed this to be sure that I was who I claimed to be. After all any one can type in anything and they needed to be sure that they had the correct person. I told them that I doubted that they were that many James George Garcia Jr's with my birth date and SSN who lived at my address. I also stated that the documents requested would provide no new information save my picture and license#. I was told that unless I provided the info they would "red light" me.
I told them that enough was enough and to document the file that I would not send any other documentation. I am still waiting for some action.
For the record I have nothing to fear from any background check. In fact I have just been cleared by the Dallas Police Department to work as a volunteer in one of their Divisions.
I wonder if others have received this document request or is it just because my name is Garcia.
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