ABSTRACT
The scope in which police psychologists or behavioral scientists are used in modern law enforcement departments is diverse. Consultations often range from individual to group consultation, officer candidate assessment and evaluation, police officer selection, hostage negotiation, stress management, and the counseling of police officers and their families. Behavioral scientists, specifically police psychologists, play an integral role in law enforcement. The issue of confidentiality also has its place in the police psychologist’s office when working with sworn or support personnel, especially when services such as psychotherapy, counseling, assessment, fitness-for-duty evaluation, and research are conducted. The San Diego Police Department and Homicide Division received thousands of calls and more than 1,100 leads or tips from the public regarding the six San Diego murder cases. In times of public outcry or citizen unrest, a police psychologist can be of valuable assistance. The use of police psychologists has proven to be an extremely valuable asset and is cost-effective.
