Assessing for Bias in Peace Officer Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluations: Legal Requirements and Evidence-Based Practice Under California AB 846

Course Description

This intermediate course provides comprehensive background and provides contemporary research on and practical guidelines for conducting bias assessments in peace officer pre-employment psychological evaluations as mandated by California Assembly Bill 846. Participants will master the POST Bias Assessment Framework's three-construct model, learn evidence-based interview techniques for detecting explicit and implicit bias, and develop competency in documenting findings that meet regulatory requirements.

Program Goals

Building upon doctoral-level training in psychological assessment and clinical interviewing, this program develops specialized competencies in forensic psychological evaluation for law enforcement contexts, with particular emphasis on bias assessment methodology, legal compliance requirements, and the integration of psychological science with personnel selection practices.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key legal requirements established by California Assembly Bill 846 for peace officer psychological evaluations
2. Describe the three primary constructs of the POST Bias Assessment Framework and their assessment methods
3. Analyze the scientific evidence regarding explicit versus implicit bias measurement in personnel selection contexts
4. Apply the aggravating and mitigating factors framework when evaluating bias-related findings in candidate assessments
5. Evaluate the role of background investigation data as a primary source for identifying biased behaviors in pre-employment screening

Course Outline

• 1Section 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework (25 minutes)
• 2 - Assembly Bill 846 statutory requirements and compliance mandate
• 3 - POST Commission response and Bias Assessment Framework development
• 4 - Current regulatory status and documentation requirements
• 5 - Legal implications for evaluators and agencies
• 6Section 2: Scientific Foundation of Bias Assessment (30 minutes)
• 7 - Distinguishing explicit and implicit bias in psychological evaluation
• 8 - Research limitations of implicit bias measurement tools
• 9 - Multilevel model of bias in policing contexts
• 10 - Training effectiveness research and selection implications
• 11Section 3: POST Bias Assessment Framework Structure (35 minutes)
• 12 - Three-construct, three-source assessment architecture
• 13 - Biased Behaviors: identification and documentation standards
• 14 - Biased Attitudes: interview-based assessment requirements
• 15 - Bias-Relevant Traits and Attributes: psychological testing applications
• 16Section 4: Clinical Interview Strategies for Bias Assessment (40 minutes)
• 17 - Structured interview protocols for biased attitudes assessment
• 18 - Differentiating genuine commitment from social desirability response
• 19 - Probing techniques for intergroup contact and motivation assessment
• 20 - Managing candidate defensiveness and resistance
• 21Section 5: Psychological Testing and Bias-Relevant Constructs (25 minutes)
• 22 - MMPI-3 and MPQ applications for bias-relevant traits
• 23 - Interpreting personality measures in bias assessment context
• 24 - Integration of testing data with behavioral and interview findings
• 25 - Limitations and appropriate use of standardized instruments
• 26Section 6: Documentation and Report Writing Requirements (30 minutes)
• 27 - Regulatory compliance in bias assessment documentation
• 28 - Integrating aggravating and mitigating factors in clinical formulation
• 29 - Defensible conclusions and recommendation language
• 30 - Quality assurance and peer review considerations

About the Instructor

Professional Degree & Discipline:

Psy.D.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

No commercial support or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Full refund available within 7 days of purchase if course has not been started. No refund after course content has been accessed.