Phase I - The Assessment Center The contractor should develop and conduct an assessment center for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant. The assessment center should allow candidates to participate in a series of individual exercises that simulate critical aspects of the target ranks. Trained assessors observe each candidate’s performance and evaluate candidates’ behavior on predefined dimensions that relate to success on the job. The contractor should provide comprehensive service in the following areas: • Assessment Center Development: The contractor should develop exercises and evaluation dimensions that reflect the requirements of the target ranks. This provides the method for content validation. Law enforcement agencies face unique problems that lend themselves to the development of exercises. The contractor should develop exercises that represent these unique situations and provide information as to the abilities of candidates to deal effectively with such challenges. Three exercises should be selected for use. • Desired Evaluation Dimensions: Candidates should be systematically evaluated based on benchmarks tied to a series of behavioral dimensions that capture the leadership competencies necessary to successfully act as a police leader. Desired dimensions include, but are not limited to, oral and written communication, problem solving, judgment, decisiveness, planning/organization, and delegation/control. • Assessment Center Administration: The contractor should administer the assessment center, including the following aspects: Assessor Training: The CCPD will identify and recruit qualified independent assessors in consultation with the contractor. Assessors will participate in training, conducted by the contractor, just prior to the assessment center. The core of this training will be practice and feedback, using the actual exercises to be used and the associated assessor report forms. Exercise Administration: Candidates should participate in exercises during an intensive period of assessment. All activities should be scheduled in advance and required that a vendor Administrator monitor all procedures.
