December 9

Assessing Bias Using the POST Bias Assessment Framework

The psychological suitability standard for peace officers requires the absence of any “emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer”. When evaluating a candidate for explicit and/or implicit bias against a person or group of people (with actual or perceived characteristics), the Bias Assessment Framework provides a foundational, evidence-based structure.

The Bias Assessment Framework was designed to facilitate a 3 point method of structured professional judgment. It requires that the screening psychologist evaluate three targeted constructs: (1) biased behaviors, (2) biased attitudes, and, in the absence of clearly disqualifying behaviors and attitudes, then, (3) bias-relevant traits and attributes. The evaluator is also required to assess both “aggravating or facilitative” evidence (that is, findings that would likely increase the probability of the candidate engaging in future discriminatory or prejudicial behavior) and “mitigating or protective” evidence (findings that reduce the likelihood of acting in discriminatory ways).

For more information regarding the Bias Assessment Framework, click the link below:
Peace Officer Psychological Screening Manual

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

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December 8

Negative Psychological Indicators the NYPD Looks for in Candidates

A great deal of peace officer psychological research focuses on identifying indicators of dysfunctional peace officer behaviors. Many counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) have been targeted in studies, including but not limited to excessive force, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, substance abuse, insubordination or other supervisory problems, embezzlement, deceitfulness, multiple motor vehicle violations, inappropriate verbal conduct, blackmail, bribery, theft, lying, kickbacks, personal violence, revenge, discrimination, and fraud.

Research has shown that counterproductive work behaviors are intercorrelated, indicating that those who engage in one of these types of behaviors tend to engage in other acts of counterproductivity.

Furthermore, when compared to non-problem officers, problem officers tend to exhibit more of the following characteristics:

– Aggressiveness, argumentativeness, and antagonism
– Antisocial tendencies
– Disregard for societal rules and laws
– Egocentricity
– Emotional instability/anxiety
– Hostility
– Immaturity
– Impulsiveness
– Insensitivity or oversensitivity
– Intolerance
– Irresponsibility/unreliability
– Lack of empathy
– Overconfidence
– Paranoia
– Pessimism
– Poor decision-making
– Proneness to alcohol abuse
– Rebelliousness
– Social introversion
– Suspiciousness, cynicism and distrustfulness

For an in-depth look at Negative Psychological Indicators please click the link below:
Peace Officer Psychological Screening Manual

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

December 8

Positive Psychological Indicators NYPD Looks for in Candidates

A considerable amount of research focused on the identification of the psychological characteristics of successful peace officers. In general, the results of this research indicated that personality profiles of successful peace officers are reflective of a psychologically healthy person. In particular, peace officers were found to score high on the following attributes:

– Agreeableness
– Assertiveness/Extroversion
– Conscientiousness/Responsibility/Dependability
– Emotional toughness (freedom from anxiety, hostility and psychological distress)
– Flexibility/Adaptability
– Independence/Achievement orientation
– Integrity
– Intellectual efficiency
– Self-discipline/Self-control
– Social confidence/Self-assuredness
– Social sensitivity
– Tolerance
– Well-being

For a more in-depth look at Positive Psychological Indicators please click on the link below:
Peace Officer Psychological Screening Manual

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

December 7

POST Psychological Screening Dimensions

Candidates often wonder what guidelines the NYPD Psychologist uses when deciding if an applicant is psychologically unsuitable. There are ten (10) dimensions that are considered in the final set of the POST Peace Officer Psychological Screening. These ten Dimensions include:

  1. Social Competence
  2. Teamwork
  3. Adaptability/Flexibility
  4. Conscientiousness/Dependability
  5. Impulse Control/Attention to Safety
  6. Integrity/Ethics
  7. Emotional Regulation/Stress Tolerance
  8. Decision-Making/Judgment
  9. Assertiveness/Persuasiveness
  10. Avoiding Substance Abuse and Other Risk-Taking Behavior

For a more in-depth look at the full set of Dimensions please click on the link below:
Peace Officer Psychological Screening Manual

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

December 7

NYPD Acquisition of Candidate Health Records

In accordance with POST Commission Regulation 1955(e)(5), the NYPD has the right to request a candidate’s psychological records when warranted. A history of mental health treatment, including
psychopharmacological treatment (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, stimulants), or a history of mental health evaluations (e.g., for purposes of a disability claim), are all examples of circumstances where requesting records associated with treatment or evaluation may be warranted.

Whether or not the NYPD decides to acquire records will depend upon the recency of a candidate’s treatment or evaluation, the duration of treatment, how it connects with other documented or self reported adaptation problems, the nature of the treatment or evaluation, the diagnosis that
necessitated the treatment, and/or other factors that may normalize, mitigate or aggravate the
significance of the intervention or evaluation. For example, brief marital counseling a decade
ago in the absence of evidence of serious conflict in the marriage is unlikely to warrant the
acquisition of treatment records. However, a prescription for lithium, even several years ago,
has the potential to reveal a serious mental health condition associated with the common uses
of that medication.

For further information regarding this matter please click on the link below and read Chapter 7: Personal History Information, which contains a thorough discussion of circumstances giving rise to the need for the NYPD to obtain a candidate’s psychological or medical records:
Peace Officer Psychological Screening Manual

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

City Buildings like NY

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com