NCJ Number
59221
Date Published
1979
Length
19 pages
Annotation
EFFECTIVE USE OF ASSESSMENT CENTERS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF POLICE SELECTION AND PROMOTION, AS IMPLEMENTED IN SEVERAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS NATIONALLY, IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
AN ASSESSMENT CENTER IS A METHOD THAT INVOLVES A MULTIPLE ASSESSMENT STRATEGY; IT IS NOT A PLACE. THE ASSESSMENT CENTER HAS BECOME AN INCREASINGLY FAVORED TECHNIQUE WITH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE OF THE FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY IT OFFERS. THE CENTER CONSISTS OF A STANDARDIZATION OF BEHAVIOR EVALUATION BASED ON MULTIPLE FACTORS. MULTIPLE TRAINED OBSERVERS AND TECHNIQUES ARE USED, AND JUDGMENTS ABOUT BEHAVIOR ARE MADE, IN PART, FROM SPECIALLY DEVELOPED ASSESSMENT SIMULATIONS. THESE JUDGMENTS ARE POOLED BY THE ASSESSORS AT AN EVALUATION MEETING DURING WHICH ALL RELEVANT ASSESSMENT DATA ARE REPORTED AND DISCUSSED AND THE ASSESSORS AGREE UPON THE OVERALL EVALUATION. THE ASSESSMENT CENTER TECHNIQUE HAS BEEN GAINING ACCEPTANCE SINCE WORLD WAR II, AND HAS PROVEN TO BE HIGHLY ACCURATE IN PREDICTING JOB PERFORMANCE, MORE SO THAN THE TRADITIONAL WRITTEN TEST OR PERSONAL INTERVIEW. THE ASSESSMENT CENTERS OPERATED BY THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE FT. COLLINS AND COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN USED WITH GREAT SUCCESS. SPECIFIC DIMENSIONS, WHETHER REQUIRED FOR ENTRY LEVEL OR PROMOTIONAL SELECTION, WERE READILY DETERMINED AND APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT CENTER EXERCISES WERE DESIGNED FROM THIS INFORMATION FOR EVALUATION BY TRAINED OBSERVERS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT, BECAUSE OF TIME AND COST FACTORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES COMBINE GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY WHERE JURISDICTIONS HAVE MINIMAL NEEDS AND THAT THEY CREATE A POOL OF TRAINED ASSESSORS TO MEET CANDIDATE EVALUATION SCHEDULES. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WOULD BE TO PROVIDE A NATIONAL ASSESSMENT CENTER, WHERE FREQUENTLY SCHEDULED ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS COULD BE HELD AT CONVENIENT LOCATIONS. REFERENCES AND CHARTS INCLUDED. (LWM)