Ergometrics News & Updates
FrontLine National Case Study
Challenge:
A large Midwestern city learned during a DOJ investigation that their current testing processes for law enforcement officers had been flagged for not having validated and documented hiring procedures for effective and defensible testing. Internal reviews reflected no correlation between existing test content and the job for which the applicants were applying. The necessary job analysis, data collection, performance reviews, and follow-up on success rates were extremely limited. In 2012, the city was under intense pressure internally and externally to demonstrate that the testing process in place was job-related, defensible, valid, and contained minimal adverse impact. Ultimately, the city needed to implement a new solution that addressed these issues and could be administered in the coming months.
Solution:
Ergometrics industrial/organizational psychologists reviewed the city’s past processes and carefully considered the DOJ flags. Ergometrics team members recommended the implementation of FrontLine National, a defensible video-based simulation exam for the first round screening of two thousand candidates scheduled to test. FrontLine National directly addressed the city’s issues concerning validation. The test was produced with extensive research, validation studies, surveys of SMEs, and job incumbent data, all of which was readily available to the city. The exam also inherently reduces adverse impact with the video simulation design, resulting in a high level of candidate acceptance with direct ties to the job for which they are testing. Additionally, a job analysis/transportability study was conducted by Ergometrics research analysts and test development teams to statistically document the job relatedness of Ergometrics’ exams and the current occupation of Police Officers for the city.
Results:
The use of FrontLine National ultimately eliminated 100% of the DOJ risk factors. Additionally, having a well documented validation process for the exam allowed the city to justify the new process and gain credibility in the community with a non-biased testing process. The Director of Human Resources for the city commented, “Having Ergometrics experienced personnel and products through our complete hiring process allowed for hands on education for all of our teams within the city staff. This will pay dividends for years to come as we move to this new hiring process with continued support of their company for all of our public safety positions.”
For more information, please visit www.ergometrics.org/frontline-entry or call 425-741-0103.