New BIAS Testing To Hire Better and Keep You OUT of the News!

It’s been 5 years since George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, a catalytic event that has significantly shaped debate concerning policing and justice. Law enforcement agencies have strived since then to develop systemic reforms such as improved hiring practices, revised use-of-force protocols, and effective disciplinary strategies, among others.

Public Safety Psychologists (PSP) is pleased to announce the addition of science-based, research-proven bias testing to complement these efforts, further improving the hiring/promotion evaluations we provide to law enforcement agencies. Previous studies have found no valid or reliable predictor of behavioral bias, in part because prejudice and intolerance are typically situation-dependent, subconscious, and heavily influenced by culture and environment. Until now, assessment tools (e.g., Implicit Association Test (IAT), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), among others) and background checks have been unable to measure or predict racial or ethnic bias.

New tools have recently emerged, however, and PSP has added evidence-backed assessments with documented predictive validity for field performance in police and other public safety professions. Now you'll be able to identify candidates who are more likely to engage in serious misconduct, behavior that might otherwise make you and your department the target of time-consuming investigations, front-page headlines, and possibly career-ending consequences.

While no assessment tool is perfect, these new tests provide the data you need to stay out of the news and away from the courtroom. PSP's pre-hire assessment reports have long provided departments with detailed analysis of candidate attributes, clear recommendations to hire or dismiss, and free coaching reports to help with onboarding. You now get enhanced data, improving insights into candidate's likely post-hire behavior, including:

• racial, ethnic, and gender bias

• honesty and integrity

• productivity and work ethic

• acceptance of supervision

• self-discipline and motivation

Why use PSP? Our providers have conducted assessment and consulting services for police and public safety organizations for decades, including pre-employment, return-to-work, alcohol/drug, and OIS related services, among others. Our fees are typically at or well below what area providers charge and many leadership consulting services are free-of-charge for contracting agencies. PSP provides debriefings, wellness programs, leadership training, and other services to public safety organizations as well, and 24-hour crisis consulting upon request.

Like to learn more about reducing the legal liability you face due to bias-related misconduct? Contact PSP at your convenience to set up a phone call or meeting to discuss how to hire better and build a stronger department. In addition, References are also available upon request.