A Handbook for Psychological Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations in Law Enforcement

Cary D. Rostow, Robert D. Davis

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781317825197
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Law Theory & Practice
• Index: Law

While some books about police psychology contain a chapter on the fitness-for-duty question, this is the first comprehensive publication focused exclusively on psychological fitness-for-duty evaluations (FFDEs) for law enforcement personnel. This handbook is ideal for professionals and for coursework designed to prepare individuals for careers as police or municipal officials, psychologists, students, behavioral science specialists, human rights advocates, and attorneys. A helpful glossary makes the book even more useful for students and those who do not have extensive academic or formal training in psychology or public administration.

A Handbook for Psychological Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations in Law Enforcement describes in detail the mechanics of setting up a fitness-for-duty methodology and examines the effectiveness of FFDEs in law enforcement. You'll find clear instructions for developing a FFDE system from the law enforcement executive's viewpoint (valuable for attorneys, police psychologists, and civil service board members as well), and an extensive bibliography with particular emphasis on laws and cases that provide guidance to psychological and law enforcement professionals. Several appendices provide examples of documentation that can be used in the evaluation process.

This bookbrings you reliable information on:

• legal precedents, with a review of legal cases (in language appropriate for law enforcement executives and psychologists)
• the interaction between police culture, psychological assessment, and therapy
• federal laws that impact FFDEs, including the HIPAA, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• case law and FFDEs, with emphasis on civil rights laws, labor issues, professional ethical dilemmas, and the psychologist as a potential expert witness
• the proper uses—and the misuses—of the FFDE approach
• police departmental civil liability and the role that the FFDE plays in addressing legal risks

In addition, this book contains a succinct review of psychological testing (psychometrics), and the technicalities of employing a professional psychologist to determine the fitness of commissioned officers. A Handbook for Psychological Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations in Law Enforcement proposes a model law that could be used to improve the utility and effectiveness of FFDEs, and presents a forward-looking discussion of FFDE issues that may become controversial in the near future.

Index

Abel Assessment for Sexual Interest, 137-139

Absenteeism, 143, 145-146, 244

Accommodation

and appeal, 248

as FFDE outcome, 247

light duty, 191-192, 193, 240-241

provision requirement, 181, 182-183

reduced hours, 195

and seniority, 193

Accountability, 172, 221-222

ADA. See Americans with Disabilities Act

African Americans, 6, 91, 155. See also Minorities; Prejudice; Racism

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), 226

Alcohol

abuse history, 85

and acute stress disorder, 28

and ADA, 197-198

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism … Act, 23

and confidentiality, 168

DWI citation, 69-71

and EAPs, 16

and FFDE, 83, 122, 143, 244

legislation against, 8

and negative risk, 69-71

OAPs, 23

symptoms, 41

American Psychological Association, 163

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

accommodation issues. See Accommodation

carpal tunnel syndrome, 187

content, 179-181

emotional instability, 189, 196-197

false information, 183

and FFDEs, 189-190, 199, 225, 226

HIV, 197

invasive procedures, 191

local and state governments, 183-184

mental illness, 190, 196-197

and minorities, 198-199

permanent limitations, 195-196

personality disorders, 190, 194-195

psychological screening, 196

punitive damages, 187-188

safety issues

business necessity, 181, 183-184, 197-198

and emergencies, 195-196

p...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface and Acknowledgments
• SECTION I: THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE PSYCHOLOGY
• SECTION II: THE MECHANICS OF THE FITNESS-FOR-DUTY EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
• SECTION III: FORENSIC ISSUES IN FITNESS-FOR-DUTY EVALUATIONS
• SECTION IV: FEDERAL LAW AND FITNESS-FOR-DUTY EVALUATIONS
• SECTION V: CONCLUSIONS
• APPENDIXES
• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Index