Page 1 of 1 Psychology and the Legal System
© 2013 Argosy University
The police chief is facing a dilemma regarding whether the department should attempt to select individuals who will be good officers or whether the department should simply try to weed out potentially bad officers. Specifically, the chief wants to know what the research suggests is the best procedure for selecting new police officers. As part of Dr. Shayleigh Johnson’s new role as a police psychology professional, she has been asked to evaluate the police’s cadet selection procedure. One day, as Dr. Johnson is working on the cadet selection procedure, the chief summons her to his office. He shuts the door and starts to speak in a whispering voice. He appears to be serious and troubled. He explains to Dr. Johnson that a veteran of fifteen years on the force appears to be having some difficulties. He tells her the officer failed to conduct a thorough search of a suspect and allowed a detainee to introduce contraband into the jail. On another occasion, when the officer was traveling to a crime-in-progress report, he apparently got lost and approached a house on the wrong street. Another deputy has also expressed concern about the veteran officer. At times, the officer seems to be on drugs while on duty. The chief wants Dr. Johnson to conduct a fitness-for-duty evaluation (FFDE). He asks Dr. Johnson how she will conduct the evaluation and what the issues of confidentiality regarding the results are. Dr. Johnson needs to report to the chief by the end of the week.
