Public Description of Police Psychology

Police Psychology is concerned with assisting law enforcement and other public safety personnel and agencies in carrying out their missions and societal functions with optimal effectiveness, safety, health and conformity to laws and ethics.

Police Psychology consists of the application of the science and profession of psychology in four primary domains of practice: assessment, clinical intervention, operational support and organizational consulting.

Police Psychology requires, at a minimum, distinctive knowledge of the following:

• Essential functions of police and public safety personnel

• Working conditions unique to their respective positions

• Common and novel stressors inherent in public safety work

• Normal and abnormal adaptation to occupational stress and trauma

• Research pertinent to resilience and recovery in public safety personnel

• The unique aspects of confidentiality and testimonial privilege when providing services to public safety personnel and/or agencies.

Specialized knowledge beyond this foundation is needed for practice within each of the four domains.