Summer 2017
Taking the Guesswork Out of Detective Selection By: Mike Thomason, Stanard & Associates
Agencies looking to fill a detective position know it is no easy task. The set of skills needed to be successful in this role are unique and not necessarily honed by every eligible candidate in the department. Along with good instincts and a strong attention to detail, detective work requires a working knowledge of investigative techniques, a command of interviewing skills, and a thorough understanding of the law. Command personnel are faced with the challenging task of determining which officers are best suited for this unique position, but often do not have the appropriate resources in place to help them evaluate their pool of candidates.
In its continuing endeavor to support the needs of law enforcement agencies nationwide, Stanard & Associ- ates (S&A) has developed The National Detective/Investigator Test (NDIT). As a long-time leader in public safety test development, S&A has been assisting the law enforcement community in the assessment and se- lection of qualified candidates for detective by developing customized exams for departments. Over the years, S&A has evaluated job descriptions and gathered job analysis data from a wide variety of agencies. The collective research and data that resulted from providing these services enabled S&A to develop the NDIT: an off-the-shelf, cost-effective instrument aimed at taking the guesswork out of detective selection.
The NDIT assesses candidates’ knowledge in the three critical areas of Criminal Investigations, Interviewing Techniques and Relevant Case Law. The core test consists of 75 questions covering these areas, but agencies can also add up to 25 department-specific questions to tailor it to their needs. An agency interested in this option would provide S&A with their specific source material, such as their General Orders, Policies and Pro- cedures, or local ordinances. S&A’s staff of experienced test writers would then develop the additional ques- tions and provide them to the department for review and approval before finalizing the test. This allows agencies to incorporate questions on issues that are specifically important to them with the standard ques- tions that already measure the essential duties of the job. Please note that there is an additional fee should an agency decide to include department specific questions. Whether an agency chooses to use the NDIT ex- am as is or supplements the exam with department specific content, they can enjoy the benefits of a written exam at an affordable price.
When an agency chooses to use the NDIT for its detective selection process, S&A will first supply Candidate Study Guides to be distributed to all eligible candidates. These guides provide an overview of the subject matter covered, test-taking tips, sample test questions, along with the specific areas to study within each source. Source material for the exam is not provided by S&A or the FPCA. Instead, the agency will decide whether to furnish the source material to its candidates or make them responsible for obtaining the own copies of the sources. Candidates should be provided a study period. Most agencies provide a minimum of 30 days to prepare for the exam, though many agencies opt to provide closer to 45 to 60 days to help candi- dates achieve their highest possible score on the test. After the agency administers the tests, they will be shipped back to S&A to be scored and a report of results will be generated and provided to the authorized point of contact at the agency. Results are typically available within 5 to 10 business days of receipt.
If you would like to learn more about how the NDIT can streamline your detective selection process, please contact Dick Draffone or Mike Thomason at Stanard & Associates at (800) 367-6919.
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