What Law Enforcement Agencies SHOULD Be Seeking in Hiring Police Officers

By Mark D. Lerner, Ph.D

Clinical, Forensic, & Police Psychologist

Mental Health Director, Hero Link

Founder, Law Enforcement PEPtalk

Chairman, The National Center for Emotional Wellness

Police officer candidates who've been deemed "Psychologically Unsuitable" to serve as police officers frequently ask me, “Why were they so focused on finding what’s wrong with me?”

Based on over three decades of conducting independent psychological evaluations with law enforcement candidates, I must acknowledge that this question has merit. Nearly every fitness-for-duty or pre-employment psychological evaluation I review is primarily focused on areas of concern. This focus is understandable. Hiring the wrong individual can create significant liability and can potentially cause harm to the officer, fellow members of service, and civilians.

However, psychologists have an ethical and professional obligation to report the results of their assessments in an objective manner—including the favorable and unfavorable attributes based on their clinical assessments, as well as the results of empirically based psychometric testing.

Law enforcement agencies need officers who possess the psychological strengths required to perform one of the most complex, multifaceted, stressful, and challenging professional roles in society. With this in mind, it may be time to look beyond the potential "bad apples" and identify the qualities that define an exemplary police officer—not merely an acceptable one.

Following is a starting point, based on decades of police psychological assessment, consultation, and observation.

The "Ideal Police Officer" should demonstrate the following attributes:

• Empathy

• Warmth

• Genuineness

• Honesty

• Compassion

• Sound judgment

• Good insight

• Strong impulse control

• Emotional regulation and stress tolerance

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Courage

• Loyalty

• Assertiveness

• Confidence

• Decisiveness

• Vigilance

• Perseverance

• Resilience

• Accountability

• Reliability

• Dependability

• Dedication to public service

• Emotional strength

• Discipline and self-control

• Integrity

• A strong ethical compass

• Objectivity

• Freedom from personal bias

• Fairness

• Altruism

• Transparency

• Truthfulness

• Altruisim

• Ability to accept feedback and supervision

• Capacity for teamwork

• Emotional maturity

• Strong coping skills

• Commitment to professional growth

• Courtesy

• Professionalism, and

• Respect

Note that the last three attributes are printed on every NYPD cruiser.

Rather than focusing on what's wrong with potential law enforcement candidates, it's time to focus on identifying indivuals who embody the qualities of an "ideal police officer."

Contact Law Enforcement Psychological Evaluation Preparation Talks (PEPtalk)