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Candidates are sometimes surprised by the thoroughness of the psychological exam, including the written and oral components. Additionally, candidates can be shocked to learn how thorough the psychologist will be when investigating the following: school, work, interpersonal relationships, family relationships, legal issues, financial issues, substance use or abuse, alcohol use or abuse and mental health history.

The psychologist will request documents from as far back as pediatrician records, which often makes candidates wonder if the request is proper. Additionally, early psychotherapy records from childhood trauma or a parent’s divorce will be requested.

Often psychologists who counseled candidates in childhood may have closed their practice, discontinued work, retired, passed on or destroyed the records. Nevertheless, candidates must show that they made every effort to obtain the records, and prove that to the interviewing department psychologist.

If a psychologist receives records after the oral interview, the psychologist will review the records before making a final decision.

Attached is the international Association of Chiefs of Police Guidelines for Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluations. They are used by many Law Enforcement agencies.

Click here to check the attached document

Candidates should be aware that if there are any documents from their past that indicate some testing or illness, or issues regarding school discipline or expulsion, or work discipline or termination, these documents will be requested by the interviewing psychologist.

Candidates for NYPD and Nassau County Police Department and other law enforcement agencies may not be aware that the oral psychological exam can be rough.  The examiner, most often a Psychologist, can use an aggressive questioning pattern to find out if the candidate can handle confrontation.  Also, the psychologist may repeat previously asked questions to see if they are are going to be met with consistent answers. The candidate may think this is unfair, and they are not being treated properly. The best attitude is to be prepared to be confronted during the interview, and maintain your composure.

For more NYPD psychological disqualification information visit my website at www.sheerinlaw.com

What are the best tips for doing well on a NYPD Oral Psychological Interview?

1.  Cooperate by arriving on time and dressing properly.
2. Show respect for the psychologist by addressing them as “Doctor”, not Chief, Boss, Pal or Buddy, which will get you disqualified for showing disrespect during an interview.
3. Realize that the interview can be aggressive and your answers will be challenged.  The psychologist may loop back and repeat prior questions to ensure you are being consistent in your answers.
4. Be forthcoming because deceptive answers can be more damaging than revealing answers that you think may be problematic.
5. At the end of the interview you will be asked to provide authorizations for your school, medical and other records, and if those documents contain information contradicting your answers you can expect a bad result.

What can be expected in the NYPD psychological testing process?

The NYPD will give you a written exam consisting of hundreds of questions.  After the examination is scored you will be called to meet with a NYPD Psychological staff member for an oral psychological interview.

You may be asked questions about your answers given on the written exam, and you will be asked to explain your answers.

You will be asked questions about:

Education History
Work History
Driving History
Arrest History (if any)
Psychotherapy or medicines taken
Family and Relationships
Other relevant topics

You will also be asked to explain any issues that arise in any of the above topic areas.

You may be asked to provide authorizations for the Psychologist to get documents from schools or jobs, and you will have to provide to them to complete the process.

You may receive notice that you have been placed on psychological review.  This review can take some time as other members of the NYPD team review your file.

Thereafter, you may receive a Notice of Proposed Disqualification or NOPD stating that you have 30 days to appeal.

As a civil service appeals attorney with more than 18 years of experience, I have helped many NYPD candidates win their appeal. I would be happy to help you too.

If you have questions about your NYPD Psychological Disqualification or NYPD Psychological Review, and you would like to schedule a free consultation at my Mineola office, please do not hesitate to call me at 516 248 0040.

You can also email me at kevin@sheerinlaw.com

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