NCJ Number
117394
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 41-45
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Police officers who are assessment center candidates should understand the strengths and weaknesses of these centers as well as ways that they can most effectively reveal their managerial and supervisory skills during the assessment center exercises and avoid common errors that result in low evaluations.
Abstract
Candidates often feel confused when trying to demonstrate all of the skills on which they will be evaluated. However, they should be aware that assessors either consciously or unconsciously rate candidates in terms of two factors: interpersonal skills and administrative skills. If a leaderless group discussion is one of the assessment center exercises, candidates should avoid trying to act in a predetermined manner. Instead, they should assess what the group needs for effective functioning and assume the role best suited to their talents. They should prepare for role plays by gaining an understanding of the problems facing the organization and being aware that the role plays try to simulate managerial or supervisory actions. If they are given an in-basket exercise, they should go through the entire in-basket before working on any item, rather than taking each item individually and sequentially. Finally, candidates should take every opportunity to practice managerial and supervisory skills and should thoroughly investigate the job and organization for which they are applying.