Instead, it is a tool used to assess whether a candidate is suitable for the law enforcement job. Psychological screening isn’t a way to separate the insane from the sane ones. Why? Because so many people have misconceptions regarding it that’s it’s crucial to clear the air. However, before discussing psychological screening, it’s important to talk about what psychological screening isn’t. Since most law enforcement agencies rely on psychological evaluation, many candidates would be concerned about what a psychological exam involves. Similarly, 73% of law enforcement agencies use the polygraph test, while 88% use drug and alcohol screening. However, it is estimated that more than 90% of the US police departments use psychological testing in their hiring process. Of course, NYPD is the biggest police department in the US which means it has higher standards than most other police departments.
Finally, the candidates have to undergo drug and alcohol screening. These exams are followed by background character investigation and the physical fitness test known as the Job Standards Test. NYPD, for instance, begins the hiring process with the police officer written exam, followed by a medical exam and written and oral psychological evaluations. Where And How Psychological Screening Is UsedĬandidates can be asked to take the psychological evaluation before or after the conditional employment offer. In short, candidates have to prove that they’re worthy of serving as a police officer, whether it’s the NYPD or the Suffolk County Police.
It is part of a long series of tests and exams, so candidates tend to take it easy and don’t prepare for it as they should.įor instance, the journey begins with the entrance civil service exam for NYPD police officer candidates and ends with a physical fitness test and drug screening. Psychological screening is perhaps the most important but also the least understood step of getting hired as a law enforcement officer. If you’re pursuing a career in law enforcement, there’s a lot you need to know, but for now, we’ll focus on the psychological screenings. However, psychological screenings are used to assess your personality traits. Many people have the misconception that psychological screening is to find out if you’re crazy or not. Where Does Psychological Screening Fit in The Hiring Process Moreover, it’s not just carried out for law enforcement jobs but also criminal justice careers. Only the candidates who can clear all these tests and evaluations are considered for the job.Īlthough it is one of the final stages of the hiring process, psychological screening can make or break your hiring chances.
Police officers, or more accurately law enforcement officers in the US, have crucial responsibilities, and therefore the hiring process entails a lot of tests and screenings.