Application: Selection of Police Officers and ADA

As you have been learning, part of the job of forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty can be the assessment of candidates for law enforcement positions. Indeed, the evaluation of an officer's "fitness-for-duty" can be a familiar task. More recently, they have participated in the selection and training of special units such as SWAT, hostage negotiations teams, tactical response teams, and even members within these teams such as snipers, negotiators, and team leaders. And, while it may seem easy to identify someone who would be a good candidate for police work, there are a variety of issues that must be considered. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has influenced the recruitment and selection of law enforcement personnel. In this Application, you explore how ADA is relevant to the work that forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty do in the area of assessment and selection of prospective law enforcement personnel.

To prepare for this assignment:

• Review Chapter 2 in Introduction to Forensic Psychology, paying particular attention to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and how it affects the selection of law enforcement employees.

• Review the article "The Americans with Disabilities Act and How It Affects Psychologists," located in this week's Learning Resources. Focus on law, various key concepts, and equal opportunities in the areas of employment.

• Review this week's DVD program, "Police Psychology," and think about the role of forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty in the recruitment and screening of law enforcement personnel.

• Think about the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty in screening prospective police personnel according to ADA standards and requirements.

• Consider whether the Americans with Disabilities Act is relevant for forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty in the selection of police officers and why.

• Conduct an Internet search and search the Walden Library for articles that relate to specific disabilities that you believe may or may not be adaptable for employment in law enforcement.

The assignment (1-2 pages):

• Explain how and why the ADA is relevant to forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty in the screening and selection of police officers.

• Support your response with information from the Learning Resources and with relevant research that you have found.

Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this week

Police Subspecialty and Emergency Response Teams

Although there are many popular TV shows about police, law enforcement and crime, few are more dramatic than what is seen in real-life by members of the elite emergency response teams. Today's emergency response teams (SWAT, hostage negotiations, victims' assistance) often train together and coordinate their efforts during crisis situations. In these high-stakes emergency situations, forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty might provide assistance in assessing the situation and the suspects, and also may be part of the strategic decision making of the team. In order to fulfill their roles and responsibilities, they are required to complete stringent training. And while forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty make valuable contributions to law enforcement, they often have to work hard to overcome stereotypes.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review Chapter 2 in Introduction to Forensic Psychology and this week's DVD program, "Police Psychology." Pay particular attention to the tasks and areas of specialization within police work that would include forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty.

• Think about specific situations in which a forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty would be a valuable member to a police emergency response team.

• Review the article "An Interesting Career in Psychology: Police Psychology in the Federal Government" located in this week's Learning Resources. Think about the possible contributions a forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty could make to different areas of law enforcement.

• Select a police emergency response team that interests you.

• Focus on the contributions a forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty could make to the emergency response team you selected.

• Conduct an Internet search and search the Walden Library for articles that relate to the need for and/or contributions of forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty to emergency response teams.

With these thoughts in mind:

An explanation of the need for and contributions that forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty can make to the emergency response team you selected. Support your post with research findings that a forensic psychology professionals working in the police subspecialty could use when working with your chosen emergency response team.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.