E-raamat: Evaluations of Police Suitability and Fitness for Duty

"Corey and Zelig, both experienced and highly regarded police and forensic psychologists, have written a comprehensive overview of the two most common psychological evaluations conducted by police psychologists: evaluations of the psychological suitability of police candidates and the psychological fitness of incumbent police officers. Filling a gap in the practice literature, this is the first text to explain the legal, procedural, ethical, and clinical foundations for these evaluations untethered to any single assessment instrument. The three foundational chapters provide readers with a review of the most prominent federal laws and regulations, professional practice guidelines, and ethical standards pertinent to these evaluations. The four applied chapters provide detailed procedural guidance, including advice for obtaining informed consent, providing disclosure to the involved parties, conducting clinical and collateral interviews, selecting written assessment instruments, integrating the assessment findings to reach determinations of suitability and fitness, and preparing written reports and testimony that anticipate their various audiences and uses. Throughout the text, Corey and Zelig distinguish between enforceable, standards-based requirements and aspirational best practices. Steeped in case law, personal anecdotes, and advice on best practices, and certain to become a valued primer in the field, Corey and Zelig's Evaluations of Police Suitability and Fitness for Duty is written with a clarity and depth that will appeal to experienced and novice psychologists alike, as well as to police and human resource administrators whose work involves the review or oversight of these evaluations"--

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 20 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.

Volumes include the following helpful features:

- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations

- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls

- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes

- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference

- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topic

In making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.

A majority of police departments across the country conduct psychological evaluations of their police applicants and many also conduct periodic evaluations of incumbent police officers. With a small percentage of psychologists conducting these evaluations, and an even smaller number who have passed through board certification in forensic psychology or police and public safety psychology, there is a pressing need for education and training resources for practitioners seeking to develop competency in this area of practice. Evaluations of Police Suitability and Fitness for Duty, fills a gap in the literature, and explains the legal, procedural, ethical, and clinical foundations for these types of evaluations untethered to any single assessment instrument. Throughout the text, authors David M. Corey and Mark Zelig distinguish between enforceable, standards-based requirements and aspirational best practices. The book starts with a review of the most prominent federal laws and regulations, professional practice guidelines, and ethical standards pertinent to these evaluations. From there, applied chapters provide detailed procedural guidance, including advice for obtaining informed consent, providing disclosure to the involved parties, conducting clinical and collateral interviews, selecting written assessment instruments, integrating assessment findings to reach determinations of suitability and fitness, and preparing written reports and testimony for various audiences and uses.