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Date: 12/01/86 Revision: 01/20/23 Reviewed: 01/02/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: GEN 207.00 Page: 1 of 2 SUBJECT: PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define the guidelines regarding the use of psychological screening and evaluation by the Sheriff's Office. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel and candidates . III. DISCUSSION : Law enforcement creates a highly stressful environment and places personnel in situations of immense responsibility. Psychological assessments are needed to screen persons who may be unable to fulfill specific job responsibilities or endure the stress inherent in the working conditions. IV. DEFINITIONS : * A. Candidate - A prospective employee or volunteer who has applied for a position that requires psychological sc reening, successfully completed all phases of the screening process, and is eligible to be psychologically evaluated in accordance wi th the Americans With Disabilities Act and Sheriff's Office procedures. B. Emotional Stability/Psychological Fitness Exami nation - Professional screening designed to identify the behavior patterns a nd/or personality traits of employees or candidates that may prove either deleterious or advantageous to successful job performance. These examinations shall be valid, useful, and non -discriminatory. C. Psychological Professional - A qualified profession al, employed on a contract basis, capable of performing r esponsible professional duties inherent in providing specialized psychological services, to include: 1. Subsequ ent scoring and evaluation of applicable psychological instruments . 2. Construction of complete profiles of test results . 3. Application of appropriate therapy as indicated and authorized . 4. Conducting topical research activities and other duties as out lined in Sheriff's Office procedures. V. PROCEDURE : * A. All pre -employment psycholog ical evaluations shall be scheduled by the Recruitment & Screening Section or Employment Services Section of the Human Resources Division . 1. A written statem ent of “Acceptable" or "Not Acceptable" shall be provided by the psychological professional and become a part of the background investigation file. 2. All candidate psychological screening instruments and evaluations shall be retained by the psyc hological professional as "Medical Records ." B. The Sheriff's Office shall schedule and authorize payment for not more than two psychological evaluations per cand idate , Sheriff's Office appointee , or employee seeking special a ssignment (e.g. , SWAT , BDT, etc.) status. GEN 207.00 01/20/23 Page 2 of 2 Chad Chronister Sheriff Amends or Supersedes: SO 9205.21