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AN INTRODUCTION TO POLICING

Ninth Edition

John S. Dempsey, Linda S. Forst, and Steven B. Carter, An Introduction to Policing, 9th Edition. © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Becoming a Police Officer

Chapter 4

Introduction (1 of 2)

Introduction (2 of 2)

Becoming a police officer is very different from obtaining most other jobs.

The men and women applying for police jobs in the United States must be carefully screened.

New candidates value their active participation in the workplace.

Many agencies have increased the use of civilians in their departments.

Today’s officer is better educated, better trained, and more representative of the entire community.

Learning Objective 1: Find information on jobs in law enforcement agencies.

Finding Information on Jobs in Policing

Traditional sources

Radio, television, and newspapers

Government human resource or personnel departments

The Internet has become a favorite choice

Word-of-mouth

Intern programs for college students

Standards in Police Selection: Physical Requirements

Physical requirements are stringent

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Height and weight requirements

Vision requirements

Correctable to 20/20

Contacts

Surgery

Learning Objective 2: Describe the standards in the police selection process and explain the arguments for and against requiring higher education for police officers.

Standards in Police Selection: Smoking

Professional appearance

Health and monetary considerations

Must sign affidavits

On or off duty

Condition of employment

Standards in Police Selection: Age Requirements

Until recently, anyone over the age of 29 considered too old

Exceptions for military or past experience

Agencies have come to value mature candidates

Discussion Question (1 of 2)

Many police departments do not want to accept candidates past a certain age. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your position.

Standards in Police Selection: Education Requirements

Federal agencies require a four-year college degree

Tuition reimbursement

Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP)

Standards in Police Selection: Prior Drug Use

Smaller applicant pool

Flexibility in the policies

Marijuana use is complicated

Standards in Police Selection: Criminal Record Restrictions

Felony conviction

Misdemeanor conviction

Circumstances surrounding the crime

Information available on agency website

Learning Objective 3: Describe the policing recruitment process, particularly the recent changes and current challenges.

Recruitment Process

Lengthy and challenging hiring process

Crisis in police–community relations

Shrinking pool of candidates aged 16–24

Police cadet

Civilianization

Job Analysis

Job analysis identifies the important tasks that must be performed

Measures what current police officers actually do (job relatedness)

Guardians Association of New York City Police Department v. Civil Service Commission of New York (1980) is a landmark case on issue of job analysis

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)

Learning Objective 4: Discuss why the job analysis is such a vital phase in the police hiring practice.

Selection Process

Selection process

Only 1 out of 100 applicants makes it through

Written and physical agility tests first, psychological and medical evaluations last

Adverse impact

Learning Objective 5: Describe the characteristics of a good police officer and the typical selection process most police departments use to identify and select qualified police officers.

Selection Process: Characteristics of Good Police Officers

Maturity

Emotional intelligence (EI)

Good judgment

Hiring in the Spirit of Service strategy

Selection Process: Written Examination

Minimize time and cost

Given on a regular basis

Fair and unbiased

Computer simulations

Assessment centers

Selection Process: Physical Agility Test

Physical agility testing has been criticized

Departments often provide training or guidance

Traditionally, no standards to adhere to once hired

Civilian personnel not required to take agility test

Selection Process: Polygraph Examination

Polygraph records any changes in body measurements

Accuracy depends on the subject

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Not admissible in court

Some departments switching to voice stress analyzer

Ongoing discussion about its appropriate use

Selection Process: Oral Interview

Measures poise, presence, and communication skills

Candidate’s demeanor can be assessed

Generally three to six members

All candidates asked the same questions

Selection Process: Background Investigation

Background investigation critical to avoid hiring the wrong person

Identifies unfavorable traits or habits that could affect work performance

All pertinent past records

Documented and unreported incidents

Travel to area of previous residence

Selection Process: Psychological Appraisal

Invaluable tool in selection

One of three recommendations

Recommended

Recommended with reservations

Not recommended

Rated from A to E, with A being the best

Selection Process: Medical Examination

Short-range purpose

Long-range purpose

ADA, signed into law in 1990, prohibits discrimination on basis of disability

Physical agility

Psychological tests

Drug tests

Discussion Questions (2 of 2)

Discuss ways in which a certain qualification for a job could be determined to be job-related.

Discuss what characteristics are most important for police officer candidates. Defend your conclusions.

Police Training Process: Recruit Training

Teaches state laws

Provides KSAs

Starts at police academy

Ends with completion of probation

Police Training Process: The Police Academy

Formal career training

Socialization

650 academies nationwide

Residential

Commuter

Training community guardians vs. warriors

State of Washington is representative

Police Training Process: Field Training

Field training is on-the-job training for academy graduates

Field training officers (FTOs)

San Jose program

Reno model

Police Training Process: Probationary Period

Probationary period in which officer can be dismissed at will by evaluation

Can last from 6 months to 3 years

Average: 12–18 months

Police Training Process: Firearms Training

FBI’s Practical Pistol Course

Hogan’s Alley

Computer-controlled visual simulations

Enlightening and realistic training

Reviewing actual shooting incidents

Police Training Process: In-Service, Management, and Specialized Training

In-service training

Important since laws are constantly changing

Management training programs

Specialized training programs

Summary

Selection involves consideration of a variety of requirements, both physical and mental.

Not all who candidates are the right fit for the police.

Training includes Police Academy, but also training in the field, a probationary period, and firearms training.

Additional training is completed for specialized areas.