I have two of these – one from 1994 and another from 2001.
both are “expired” for working in most private sector jobs but not for jobs what require “enhanced CRB declarations” such as working with kids/vulnerable people.
That said I work in this sector – I made a full and frank declaration of my record and got the job (in a management position). My employers policy (although not all may be as lenient) is that they are not worried about experimentation with drugs provided it didn’t affect someones mental or physical health to the point they may become a burden to the business (pulling sickies etc) or a threat (such as being snappy or agressive to a client due to a comedown).
They are far more concerned about people with cautions for theft/shoplifting or dishonesty as obviously there may be a temptation to rob a client and obviously any record of violence counts badly.
I did however have family connections and I suspect that in a more competitive environment had I come up against a candidate with the same qualifications/experience and a clean record they would have got the job instead.
A caution should expires in Britain after 5 years but as you say there are inaccurate computer records made of a citizen when they “come to notice” of a police force.
Sometimes both PNC (police national computer) and “local records” are correctly updated, sometimes they aren’t. It also works the other way, people get cautioned but they do their CRB and come back clean because the cops didn’t do all the paperwork! I think only one of my cautions is on the PNC.
As you would expect, when a security check is done for certain Civil Service jobs (and joining the Police :laugh_at:) any cautions/spent convictions will show up. Even then it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get the job.
I once read the head of the Security Service (MI5) saying that although they would employ someone what experimented as a teenager, they would always watch them more closely if they feared they could be corrupted into giving away secrets for drugs etc. Same with HM Revenue and Customs and other similar authorities. I think this is fair enough, if you want to enforce rules you must live by them yourself.
So a caution (if the cops have done the paperwork correctly) does stay on your record for life – its just that not every public or private body can see it.
As for the USA, under current legislation it counts as a criminal record and you have to get your visa pre-approved.
PS: there are also shadowy private security “consultants” what scour newspapers, websites, forums to check up on peoples pasts. they also pay fellow students to dig dirt about their colleagues and even “friends”! They operate completely outside any privacy or data protection laws or ethics, but employers in more conservative minded compaines are willing to use their services.
If that picture in the avatar is you, it may count against you if you apply for a “high flying” job, but you may not want to work for such a harsh employer anyway…
