The Assessment Center Handbook for Police and Fire Personnel (Plastic Comb)

~ (Author) "An Assessment Center is not a place, but rather a process that is used in both private industry and in governmental agencies for the purpose..." (more)
Key Phrases: Subject Matter Expert, Tactical Fire Problem, Resource Person (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Drawing on current knowledge and his own extensive experience, the author provides a thorough overview of the design and administration of an assessment center for fire and police personnel. He offers invaluable insight concerning the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and objective methods for the selection of candidates for higher appointments. Topics include the advantages of an assessment center, typical assessment center exercises, design and administration, selection and training, candidate evaluation and scoring methods, preparation, and an overall summary. How or why an assessment center should be conducted, and the manner in which candidates are evaluated by the assessors, are among the many important features of this book. Concluding with numerous exercise plans, typical assessment center schedules, candidate evaluation and assessor feedback forms, this volume will serve as an excellent textbook in administrator preparatory programs. --This text refers to an alternate Plastic Comb edition.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 177 pages
• Publisher: Charles C. Thomas Publisher; 2nd edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0398074852
• ISBN-13: 978-0398074852
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,207,323 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Reading for the Assessment Center Candidate, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Assessment Center Handbook for Police and Fire Personnel (Plastic Comb)

If you agree that identifying and selecting the very best possible leaders for your organization is among your most important responsibilities, or, if you are a police officer seeking a higher level within your own police agency, then you need to read this book and keep it close at hand.

Assessment centers have gained a high degree of credibility in recent years as an objective, valid, useful and fair means of evaluating the qualifications, skills and abilities of persons for advancement within law enforcement.

Drawing on current knowledge and his own extensive experience, the author provides a thorough overview of the design and administration of an assessment center for police and fire personnel. This book looks at a variety of different assessment center exercises designed to elicit critical leadership and behavioral traits consistent with potentially successful leaders.

The book is skillfully crafted by the author with a three-fold goal in mind. First, for those who are planning on participating as a candidate in an assessment center. Secondly, it assists the reader who may be interested in using an assessment center as part of their selection process. Finally, it provides meaningful information to those who may simply be interested in obtaining more information about the process.

This work offers invaluable insight concerning the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and objective methods for the selection of candidates for higher appointments. Topics include the advantages of an assessment center, typical assessment center exercises, design and administration, selection and training, candidate evaluation and scoring methods, preparation, and an overall summary. How or why an assessment center should be conducted and the manner in which candidates are evaluated by the assessors are among the many important features of this book. Concluding with numerous exercise plans, typical assessment center schedules, candidate evaluation and assessor feedback forms, this volume will serve as an excellent textbook in administrator preparatory programs.

Sample exercises and relevant grading forms are also included as well as detailed descriptions and diagrams provide basic planning considerations such as room layout.

The author leads the reader through a straightforward and well-written tour of the assessment center from start to finish. The book is well-scripted, easy to read and all of its concepts are well explained and effortless to follow.

The book includes chapters on typical assessment center exercises, design and administration, selection and training of assessors, candidate evaluation and scoring methods, how to prepare for an assessment center and detailed appendices that contain sample exercises, schedules and evaluation forms.

In summary, it pays, both as a candidate and, as a law enforcement executive, to know what to expect in an assessment center. From start to finish, this is a thoroughly researched, intelligently presented and easy to read work on the critical essentials in conducting an successful assessment center. It is a necessary reference for one of your most important responsibilities: selecting, or becoming, a future law enforcement leader for tomorrow.