June 2026
Police and public safety psychology is not interchangeable with general clinical psychology. Police Chiefs need to ensure that their agency psychologist is a culturally competent and experienced provider who truly understands police culture. Without a qualified police psychologist, Chiefs and their agencies are going to be exposed to serious risks such as:
• Improperly conducted pre-employment psychological evaluations that lead to bad hiring decisions
• Mishandled critical incidents
• Poorly run peer support programs
• Inaccurate �itness for duty evaluations
Police Chiefs who prioritize specialized expertise in police and public safety psychology are better positioned to protect their officers, their agencies, and the communities they serve.
As the Chief Psychologist for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, I am here to provide you with subject matter expertise on all things police psychology. Please reach out if you have any questions. Stay safe and healthy!
New Jersey Police Chief Magazine / 13