Public Safety Testing

For over 50 years, McCann Associates has been providing police and fire departments with quality promotional examination services. We provide the tools and tests needed to identify top-quality candidates for police department and fire department hiring and promotion. McCann’s testing platform, built upon decades of research and experience, provides public safety departments with the tools they need, at a cost they can afford, to manage their public resources for the safety of the general public.

Why McCann for Police and Fire Personnel Testing?

Failure to screen applicants using a fair, job-related method for hiring or promoting individuals poses many risks for public safety organizations. At the management level (ranks filled by promotion), the risk of bad decisions, leading to possible liability, increases. Hiring marginally qualified or unqualified police officers or firefighters costs the employer time and money, such as increased injury rates and use of sick time, higher employee turnover, inefficiency, and difficulty in meeting industry and/or government standards. Public safety agencies reduce the risk of hiring or promoting personnel who are not qualified to do the job by using McCann Associates for Entry-Level and Promotional Assessments.  They also bring years of expertise and time-tested processes designed to assure the process is by the book and without bias.

Consultative Approach to Fire and Police Examinations

Police and fire departments have unique testing and assessment needs. We understand your department requires targeted solutions aligned to your structure, qualification requirements, and promotional paths. Our professionals have years of industry experience and work through a proven consultative services approach with police and fire departments. Whether your department is in need of high-stakes or practice testing, entry-level or promotional exams, performance analysis or leadership development, pencil-and-paper or computerized delivery, McCann Associates will provide you with valid assessments of superior quality.

 

logo.public_safety_iconPolice Officer Entry-Level Testing

McCann Associates written examinations have been widely used for nearly half a century by municipalities and counties throughout the United States. These Police Officer entry-level assessments use a five-response, multiple-choice question format and are designed to measure aptitude at the entry level, and knowledge and certain cognitive abilities.

All McCann police officer entry-level tests have been empirically statistically validated (ESV) using a criterion-related validation study employing concurrent methodologies and continue to show strong performance over time. Extensive normative data is continually maintained and analyzed to ensure that the psychometric properties of the tests have not changed. Predictive studies and differential functioning studies are performed when data becomes available.

McCann police officer tests are at an appropriate reading level for the intended candidate population, and for the job tasks which successful candidates will be required to perform upon being hired and trained. In addition, minority candidates will not be disadvantaged because of cultural, ethnic or gender bias in test questions, as all questions are thoroughly reviewed for bias in terminology.

The primary dimensions measured in McCann’s entrance level police officers examination are:

  • Observational Ability
  • Ability to Exercise Judgement and Common Sense
  • Interest in Police Work
  • Ability to Exercise Judgement – Map Reading
  • Ability to Exercise Judgement – Dealing with People
  • Ability to Read and Comprehend Police Text Materials
  • Reasoning Ability

The Testing Process Includes:

  • Candidate study guides available for download from our website
  • Test booklets, answer sheets, ID system and monitor’s instructions
  • Scoring
  • Comprehensive report on the candidates’ comparative strengths and weaknesses
  • Passing point recommendation for those clients who do not have a fixed minimum cutoff score

 

logo.public_safety_icon

Firefighter Entry-Level Assessment

McCann Associates written examinations have been widely used for nearly half a century by municipalities and counties throughout the United States. These Firefighter entry-level assessments use a five-response, multiple-choice question format and are designed to measure aptitude at the entry level, and knowledge and certain cognitive abilities.

All McCann firefighter entry-level assessments have been empirically statistically validated (ESV) using a criterion-related validation study employing concurrent methodologies and continue to show strong performance over time. Extensive normative data is continually maintained and analyzed to ensure that the psychometric properties of the tests have not changed. Predictive studies and differential functioning studies are performed when data becomes available.

McCann police officer tests and firefighter tests are at an appropriate reading level for the intended candidate population, and for the job tasks which successful candidates will be required to perform upon being hired and trained. In addition, minority candidates will not be disadvantaged because of cultural, ethnic or gender bias in test questions, as all questions are thoroughly reviewed for bias in terminology.

The primary dimensions measured in McCann’s entrance level firefighter examination are:

  • Interest in Firefighting
  • Teamwork / Compatibility
  • Observational Ability
  • Problem Solving – Map Reading
  • Spatial Visualization
  • Attentiveness (Visual Pursuit)
  • Problem Solving – Logical thinking
  • Problem Solving – Mechanical

The Testing Process Includes:

  • Candidate study guides available for download from our website
  • Test booklets, answer sheets, ID system and monitor’s instructions
  • Scoring
  • Comprehensive report on the candidates’ comparative strengths and weaknesses
  • Passing point recommendation for those clients who do not have a fixed minimum cutoff score

 

 

logo.public_safety_iconPolice Department Promotional (Job Advancement) Testing

McCann provides custom written examinations for most promotional ranks for police departments and offices that focus on law enforcement.  These written tests are content-valid, job-specific, knowledge-based assessments that are customized to meet your department’s unique specifications.   McCann’s custom assessments have been used for Police Chief, Assistant Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief, Captain, Sargent, Lieutenant, and many other promotional exams.

Working closely with with our clients and using either job analysis data, detailed job descriptions and/or other resources, we develop tests that are appropriate for the rank(s) being tested.  In a consultative process, we develop a test blueprint that includes the following components/competencies:

  • Technical Police Knowledge
  • Investigative Knowledge
  • Legal Knowledge
  • Supervisory and Managerial Knowledge
  • Administrative Knowledge
  • Ability to Apply Deductive Reasoning in Police Related Situations
  • Ability to Understand and Interpret Police Related Text and Graphic Materials
  • Local Knowledge/Custom considerations

Once the weighting of the competencies is agreed to, we create a custom 100 item multiple-choice test that should take 3.5 hours of test time.  We draw test questions from leading textbooks using our in-house Subject Matter Expert (SME), Test Developer and Psychometrician as needed.  Once approved by the client, we assist in the creation of testing procedures, announcements and preparation materials (study guides, reading lists, review sessions) for candidates.   We then create test booklets with the custom questions and arrange for test day logistics.

Test materials are then returned to McCann’s Operations Center for scoring and analysis.  We itemize results and summarize each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses and issue a final report within 5 business days of receipt of the examination materials.  We also issue a summary report of the candidate pool and test operation.

 

logo.public_safety_iconFire Department Promotional (Job Advancement) Testing

McCann provides custom written examinations for most promotional ranks for fire departments and offices that focus on public safety and fire protection.  These written tests are content-valid, job-specific, knowledge-based assessments that are customized to meet your department’s unique specifications.  McCann’s custom assessments have been used for Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Battalion Chief, Fire Captain, Fire Lieutenant, and many other promotional exams.

Working closely with with our clients and using either job analysis data, detailed job descriptions and/or other resources, we develop tests that are appropriate for the rank(s) being tested.  In a consultative process, we develop a test blueprint that includes the following components/competencies:

  • Size-up and Command Practices
  • Fireground/Emergency Scene Practices
  • Pre-fire Planning, Prevention and Protection Practices
  • Fire Investigation Practices
  • Supervisory and Managerial Practices
  • Administrative Practices
  • Ability to Understand and Interpret Hypothetical Fire Codes, Fire Service Related Text and Graphic Materials
  • Local Knowledge/Custom considerations

Once the weighting of the competencies is agreed to, we create a custom 100 item multiple-choice test that should take 3.5 hours of test time.  We draw test questions from leading textbooks using our in-house Subject Matter Expert (SME), Test Developer and Psychometrician as needed.  Once approved by the client, we assist in the creation of testing procedures, announcements and preparation materials (study guides, reading lists, review sessions) for candidates.   We then create test booklets with the custom questions and arrange for test day logistics.

Test materials are then returned to McCann’s Operations Center for scoring and analysis.  We itemize results and summarize each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses and issue a final report within 5 business days of receipt of the examination materials.  We also issue a summary report of the candidate pool and test operation

 

logo.public_safety_iconOral Boards (Police only)

McCann offers services to support an oral review board for recruit or promotional candidates.  The purpose of the oral exam is to measure abilities, found by job analysis, to be important to the successful performance of the duties and work behaviors of the rank, which were not measured by the written multiple-choice test.  Candidates moving to this phase of the process will have previously successfully competed in a content-validated written test, the oral interviews are designed to look deeper into a candidates ability and capabilities.

McCann supports Oral Boards through the creation of pertinent questions for panelists (judges), coaching and preparation of panelists, selection and screening of panelists and test day facilitation.  Services can include post-review analysis and reporting.  The Oral Board include on-site proctoring and review management as well as post-test.  McCann services all offer optional appeal and legal support services.

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For availability, prices, references and/or a price quote, please contact:

Brian Schweitzer
McCann Associates
Office-267-756-1163

bschweitzer@mccanntesting.com