Traditional background checks are an essential first step in hiring and onboarding – but they only show what happened before day one. Criminal activity can occur at any time after someone is hired, approved as a volunteer, or granted access to sensitive environments. Continuous criminal monitoring fills this gap by providing ongoing visibility into post-hire risk. This guide explains what continuous criminal monitoring is, how it works, and why more organizations are adopting it.
What Is Continuous Criminal Monitoring?
Continuous criminal monitoring is a process that continuously scans criminal data sources to identify new arrests, charges, or criminal records after an individual has already passed an initial background check.
Instead of waiting years to re-run a background check, continuous monitoring:
- Watches for new criminal activity in near real time
- Sends alerts when records appear
- Helps organizations take action sooner
- Reduces post-hire safety gaps
Continuous criminal monitoring is often used in:
- K-12 schools
- Youth-serving organizations
- Nonprofits
- Healthcare and caregiving roles
- Transportation and safety-sensitive positions
Find a criminal justice data overview here.
Why Continuous Criminal Monitoring Matters
- Background Checks Are Only a Snapshot
A background check only reflects information available on the day it is run. If an employee or volunteer is arrested months later, the organization may never know unless another check is ordered.
- Post-Hire Risk Is a Real Liability
Organizations can face negligent retention claims if they fail to act on known risks.
- EEOC guidance on employer responsibility
- Annual Re-Checks Leave Long Gaps
Many organizations only re-screen every 3-5 years. That creates blind spots where serious incidents can go undetected.
- Safety Expectations Have Changed
Parents, regulators, and communities increasingly expect proactive safety measures – not reactive ones.
- Faster Awareness Enables Faster Action
Real-time alerts allow organizations to review issues immediately, rather than discovering them long after an incident occurs.
How Continuous Criminal Monitoring Works
Step 1: Start With a Background Check
Continuous monitoring is not a replacement for a background check. It always begins after an individual has passed a pre-hire or pre-approval screening.
Background checks establish a baseline by reviewing:
- Identity history
- Criminal records
- Sex offender registries
Find FCRA requirements for background checks here.
Step 2: Enroll the Individual in Monitoring
Once approved, the individual is enrolled in a continuous criminal monitoring program such as Chex365.
Chex365 is designed to:
- Monitor criminal databases continuously
- Detect new activity after onboarding
- Support FCRA-compliant alert workflows
Step 3: Ongoing Criminal Data Scanning
Continuous monitoring systems scan criminal data sources for changes tied to an individual’s identity and aliases.
Find info about court data access and limitations here.
Step 4: Arrest or Charge Alert Is Triggered
When new criminal activity is detected, the system generates an alert for administrators to review.
- Sex offender registry reference
Step 5: Review, Document, and Act
Organizations review alerts using documented policies and compliance procedures before taking any employment or access-related action.
Benefits of Continuous Criminal Monitoring
Organizations that use continuous criminal monitoring gain:
- Earlier awareness of post-hire risk
- Reduced liability exposure
- Stronger protection for students and vulnerable populations
- Fewer safety blind spots
- Better compliance in regulated environments
- Improved peace of mind for leadership and families
- A proactive, not reactive, safety strategy
Here is more HR risk management research.
How Chex365 Supports Continuous Monitoring
Chex365 is Bchex’s continuous criminal monitoring solution built for organizations that need real-time visibility after hiring or onboarding.
Chex365 helps organizations:
- Monitor employees and volunteers after approval
- Receive alerts when new criminal activity occurs
- Reduce reliance on infrequent re-checks
- Maintain FCRA-compliant workflows
- Centralize monitoring across employees, volunteers, and locations
Chex365 is commonly used by:
- School districts
- Youth organizations
- Nonprofits
- Employers with safety-sensitive roles
By combining background checks with continuous monitoring, organizations close the most common post-hire safety gap.
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Conclusion
Continuous monitoring provides ongoing protection long after a background check is complete. By detecting new criminal activity in real time, organizations can respond faster, reduce risk, and better protect the people they serve.
Looking to close the post-hire safety gap?
Chex365 built by Bchex combines real-time criminal monitoring with compliance-first workflows to help organizations stay informed and protected year-round.
FAQs About Continuous Criminal Monitoring
Q: Is continuous criminal monitoring legally compliant?
Yes - when implemented with proper consent, disclosure, and FCRA-compliant processes.
Q: Does continuous monitoring replace background checks?
No. It complements background checks by monitoring activity after onboarding.
Q: How often does Chex365 monitor criminal activity?
Chex365 continuously scans criminal data sources for new activity.
Q: What types of crimes trigger alerts?
Typically arrests, charges, and newly reported criminal records.
Q: Who should use continuous criminal monitoring?
Schools, nonprofits, employers, and any organization working with children or vulnerable populations.
