NCJ Number
97284
Journal
Crime Control Digest Volume: 19 Issue: 11 Dated: (March 18, 1985) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1985
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Twenty-five statements were presented to participants at the 1984 Federal Bureau of Investigation Symposium on Police Psychological Services in an effort to develop guidelines for mental health professionals who conduct psychological screening programs in law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
Of approximately 147 participants, 54, or 37 percent, returned the questionnaire; 26 of these respondents made specific comments about possible revisions of individual items. With the exception of item number 25 calling for a 'second opinion' whenever possible, fully 80 percent of the respondents agreed either with no or with some reservations to each of the proposed guidelines. Possibly the most important issue to be resolved by professionals in this field is whether a psychological interview is necessary. Mail order and/or computerized testing firms willing to sell their products are seen as the inexpensive answer to mandates requiring preemployment 'psychological testing' in many law enforcement agencies. These survey results indicate that 65 percent of the respondents agree that followup interviews should be conducted; 17 percent agree but have some reservations; and 18 percent feel such interviews are unnecessary. A revised and expanded set of 27 guidelines is provided, as are the guidelines proposed in the original survey. Readers are requested to examine the revised statements, to ask their mental health consultants to complete the survey form provided, and to send all comments and forms to the address listed. Tabular data are included.