The FBI is dropping a categorical hiring ban on applicants who have had sexual encounters with prostitutes and will instead consider in a more holistic manner at least some candidates who have engaged in the practice in the past, according to people familiar with the matter.
The move away from an automatic disqualification falls along a continuum of evolving recruitment standards within federal law enforcement and at the buttoned-up bureau, which several years ago relaxed its approach to candidates’ past marijuana use and has drawn more recent concern among some current and former agents about a perceived loosening of recruitment requirements as it seeks to replenish its ranks.
The bureau still intends to dismiss applicants who are revealed during the vetting process to have engaged in prostitution within the last 10 years, three or more times overall or while in a position of trust such as public safety, according to guidance issued this past spring and described by a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss internal decision-making and spoke on condition of anonymity. For others, it will allow for consideration of the context of the conduct rather than treat it as grounds for an automatic rejection from the FBI’s hiring process.
The practical impact is not immediately clear since many who have engaged in prostitution may still be either immediately disqualified or weeded out upon further scrutiny from FBI polygraphers and security officials.
The FBI said the change was meant to account for the fact that some otherwise suitable candidates, including service members, may have engaged in the practice in places where it is legal and to accommodate applicants who themselves may have been victims of sexual abuse.
“It is false to suggest criminal behavior like this is no longer disqualifying at the FBI. Any applicant who has engaged in criminal sexual acts like those referenced would of course not be eligible for employment, and it is ridiculous to suggest otherwise,” the FBI said in a statement that described the background check process as “wide-ranging and extensive.”
“The FBI has and always will maintain some of the highest suitability standards for its applicants and employees in the US Government,” the statement added.
Can’t help but feel this was changed to allow them to hire a specific person.
Yeah, the director.
and to accommodate applicants who themselves may have been victims of sexual abuse.
I think we all know this rule won’t be used to give fair consideration to former prostitutes, only johns.
This is a change for the better, and it would be better still to not have arbitrary limits in place. However, considering who is in control of the FBI right now, I can’t help but feel that this is a positive change made for all the wrong reasons.
…there are THAT MANY applicants with prostitution history that they need to exempt it like this? As in, they were perfect candidates in every other way but had this history?
It is odd. I wonder if we can foia the detail.
I sure hope so because I just saw another report that said it also exempts bestiality and animal cruelty as a minor and these are clearly seeking fucking serial killers
If you just did it to make summer money it’s okay
They have to lower their standards so those halls can be filled with Oathkeepers once more.
The FBI has a strong mormon streak, stemming from whatshisface, j edgar hoover. He liked how they didn’t drink or do drugs, or apparently tell others about how he was totally gay and in effect married to one of his subordinates.
J edgar hoover is famous for collecting a trove of blackmail on politicians and notables in the country by the way. No reason I mention that, totally unrelated to this administration.
So… Kash is just really going all in on the hookers and blow, huh?
Wants to be able to take the new recruits to some of parties?
Well that’d good. That was a fucked up policy
Melania joining the FBI?
Banning prostitution helps only human traffickers.
According to this “Employment Eligibility” PDF, domestic violence is only disqualifying if the candidate has actually been convicted.
But we’re not talking about convicted solicitation of prostitutes here, are we?
So the FBI is a land of contrasts.
Weed still prevents you, though? Or is that old hat as well?
Can’t get clearance if you admit to smoking weed. Even in rec states.
Waiting for my employer to ask me why my renewal didn’t go through…
Do pedophilia next.
If we’re talking Latin American prostitutes then I think they just did.
Annie’s twelve years old
GOP: “We are all terrorists/ prostitutes!”
