Disaster Relief MVR and Criminal Background Screening

Red Flag – Red flag offenses on the criminal background check will prevent the individual from serving in any capacity as a Disaster Relief volunteer, keeping in mind that DR volunteers, when on duty, are placed around individuals, including children, in vulnerable situations.

Here is a list of red flag offenses that disqualify an individual from serving. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

• Any form of providing alcohol/tobacco/drugs/pornography to a minor
• Voyeurism (peeping Tom)
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Any form of criminal solicitation of a minor
• Any registered sex offender
• Any practice of public indecency including exhibitionism (flashing)
• 1st or 2nd degree assault
• Any offense involving unlawful sexual behavior
• Aggravated Battery
• Any violent felony convictions of homicide (no time limit).
• False Imprisonment
• Kidnapping
• Stalking
• Any form of domestic abuse
• Injury to a child/elderly individual/disabled individual
• Abandoning or endangering a child
• Matters related to interference with child custody
• Failure to stop or report the aggravated sexual assault of a child
• Any form of grand theft including carjacking, home invasion robbery or burglary
• Any felony theft crimes
• Any crime related to the sale, possession, distribution or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
• Making a terrorist threat
• Driving under the influence (red flag for driving only; yellow flag for other positions)

Red flag convictions within the last 10 years will prevent an individual from serving in any capacity as a volunteer with Disaster Relief.

After 10 years have passed since the conviction, an individual may be considered for selection as a volunteer if (1) the volunteer’s pastor will provide written support of the volunteer’s transformed life in Christ and description of the volunteer’s recent activity as a leader in the church, (2) the individual is not on the sex offender registry, and (3) the individual has been out of incarceration for more than 7 years.
Yellow Flag – Yellow flag offenses may prevent the individual from serving in some or several capacities as a Disaster Relief volunteer. A character reference from a pastor or church leader familiar with the individual will be needed to permit the individual to serve as a volunteer for Disaster Relief. Multiple yellow flag offenses will weigh heavily against an individual’s eligibility to serve.

• Possession/Distribution of a controlled substance
• Making a firearm accessible to a child
• Any misdemeanor theft crimes, including identity theft

MVR – Individuals with suspended driver’s license will not be permitted to operate a vehicle on behalf of Disaster Relief.

These guidelines will be used in selecting drivers:

1. All drivers should be properly licensed for the size and type of vehicle being driven. A commercial driver's license is required in certain circumstances.

2. Drivers should be between the ages of 25 and 65, where possible.

3. Drivers should have good driving habits. They should not have more than one at-fault accident or one minor traffic violation within the last three years. Drivers outside of the recommended age range should have clean driving records.

4. Drivers having violations such as careless driving, reckless driving, or driving under the influence are not allowed to operate vehicles on behalf of Disaster Relief or any other BGCO ministry.

5. Vehicles must be properly equipped if a driver has a license restriction.

6. Drivers operating vehicles subject to USDOT safety regulations must pass drug screenings as prescribed by law.