KSCPOST Spotlights

K.S.A. 74-5605 establishes minimum requirements for officer certification.  In this spotlight issue, we will examine the statute and would like to reveal a new page on our website that contains a list of evaluators that agencies can employ for pre-employment and fit for duty evaluations.

Each applicant for certification shall meet the following minimum requirements
K.S.A. 74-5605(b)(6) states that: the applicant has completed an assessment, including psychological testing approved by the commission, to determine that the applicant does not have a mental or personality disorder that would adversely affect the ability to perform the essential functions of a police officer or law enforcement officer with reasonable skill, safety and judgment.

K.S.A. 74-5605(b)(7) states that: the applicant be free of any physical or mental condition which adversely affects the ability to perform the essential functions of a police officer or law enforcement officer with reasonable skill, safety and judgment.

Earlier this summer, we began to hear from some law enforcement agencies that finding an evaluator was getting more difficult.  So, we collaborated with the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board and several local psychologists.  Our initial inquiry was directed only to doctoral level psychologists as based on IACP recommendations.  Kansas law appears to allow for individuals with other education and licensure, such as certain master’s degrees, to administer psychological evaluations.   We created a questionnaire and mailed it to known providers.  When the questionnaire was returned to us, we created a spreadsheet.  Just last week, the Commission voted to post this list of evaluators on our website as a service to law enforcement stakeholders.  As such, it is a living document that may be updated as information is presented and staff time allows. 

You will also find the questionnaire that we created for evaluators on our website.  Agencies are not mandated to use someone from this list.  Here is the route for the list: 

Go to www.kscpost.gov>>>>> Press the “Other Info” tab in the red banner on the homepage>>>>>>Then press the “Psychological Evaluators” tab>>>>>> and finally, choose the List of Police Psychological Evaluators or Evaluator Questionnaire link.

IMPORTANT:  KSCPOST DOES NOT "APPROVE" OR "CERTIFY" PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT EVALUATORS.  This information is provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. KSCPOST does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual, or their products, services, or philosophy.  KSCPOST does not guarantee accessibility to listed evaluators. KSCPOST strongly encourages agencies to obtain more information about any evaluator prior to the use of their services, including current pricing information.  The order in which names appear has no significance, and the list may be removed at any time at the discretion of KSCPOST.  This is not an exhaustive list of evaluators.  The list will be updated as feasible and may not include the most up to date information. 

Agencies who do not use an evaluator on this list are encouraged to confirm that their chosen evaluator follows current law and holds the appropriate training and licensure. See the posted Evaluator Questionnaire for more information.

We obviously aren’t aware of all providers in Kansas.  If you know of someone conducting law enforcement psychological evaluations in Kansas, are licensed to do so and wish to fill out the questionnaire and return it to us, we will get them added to the list.  Our wish is to grow the list so that agencies have some direction in this important area of law. 

As we all strive to become more professional, efficient, and effective, we hope you found this spotlight topic to be informative and beneficial.  A new topic will be chosen each month and emailed to those that have signed up on our website (www.kscpost.gov) to receive updates.  If you have a topic that you would like KSCPOST to examine in future spotlights, please contact us.