IMPACT OF ASSESSMENT CENTERS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
Todd Bettison, Gerald V. Lawver · 2002
The Detroit Police Department spends approximately One-Million Dollars to give a promotional examination. The promotional examination is two fold, consisting of a written examination and an oral interview. The written examination is the main component of the process, accounting for sixty-five percent (65%) of the total possible points. The oral interview, which is one of the most expensive portions of the examination process only accounts for ten percent (10%) of the total possible points. The additional points that a candidate will receive will come from the categories of performance evaluation ratings (15%), years of service (6%), college (2%) and military time (2%). The purpose of the examination is two-fold. The primary purpose is to select the best possible candidates from the ranks, who are best suited for upward mobility. The examination’s objective is to identify which candidates from the rank of police officer, investigator, and sergeant will ascend to the next rank and provide strong leadership skills. The second purpose of the examination is training. The mere mention of a possible promotional examination in the near future will inspire a large portion of the