Police Clearance

Regarding police clearance requirement, does one's stay in a foreign country have to be continuous for more than 6 months ( some countries release clearance for > 1 year stay only ) or staggered ( like the expats with regular fly-back options ) ? Or does it depend on the length of the temporary stay permit (temporary residency) attached to one's passport? What does the US require?

Anybody who experienced this? Thanks!

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