MONROE - The state Assembly passed a bill Thursday that would require police candidates in Wisconsin to undergo psychological tests.
Current state law doesn't require mental tests for police applicants. Testing would begin in July 2011.
Lawmakers have pushed to make them mandatory since 2008, when Forest County Sheriff's Deputy Tyler Peterson gunned down six young people at a Crandon party with his SWAT assault rifle.
Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said officers are evaluated through a test before they're hired by the Monroe Police Department. That's been the standard operating procedure for the past 10 to 15 years, he added.
Potential candidates for the Monroe Police Department are given an oral exam, and if they are deemed qualified, are given a written examination.
Included in the written portion of the test are 100 questions to provide a behavioral background of the candidate. Kelley said the questions are asked in different ways to get an honest response from the applicant.
The company hired to provide the test for Monroe is Personnel Evaluation Inc., from Milwaukee. A psychologist from the company evaluates the tests for the department. The police department usually hears back from the company the next day.
Kelley said most of the people who apply for a job with his department have already been certified by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Certification includes 520 hours at the law enforcement academy as well as 60 college credits.
"Most of the people who apply already have prior police experience," Kelley said. "That's the competitiveness of the job."
According to the Associated Press, the state Justice Department estimates the tests could cost anywhere from between $500 to $1,000 each. The bill does not say who would pay for the tests.
Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley, who is chairman of the Law Enforcement Standards Board for Wisconsin, said his concern about the law is the cost.
"I think it's another unfunded mandate from the state," he said.
Pedley said the price tag could be high for counties or other municipalities already facing tight budgets.
"Where the money will come from will be a challenge," he said.
Pedley said most law enforcement departments have applicants take a test similar to Monroe's, or have the applicant see a psychologist for a face-to-face meeting.
What exactly is included in the final version of the bill is yet to be seen, he said.
The Assembly passed the measure on a voice vote with no debate. It goes next to the state Senate. The bill hasn't been scheduled for the Senate.
Current state law doesn't require mental tests for police applicants. Testing would begin in July 2011.
Lawmakers have pushed to make them mandatory since 2008, when Forest County Sheriff's Deputy Tyler Peterson gunned down six young people at a Crandon party with his SWAT assault rifle.
Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said officers are evaluated through a test before they're hired by the Monroe Police Department. That's been the standard operating procedure for the past 10 to 15 years, he added.
Potential candidates for the Monroe Police Department are given an oral exam, and if they are deemed qualified, are given a written examination.
Included in the written portion of the test are 100 questions to provide a behavioral background of the candidate. Kelley said the questions are asked in different ways to get an honest response from the applicant.
The company hired to provide the test for Monroe is Personnel Evaluation Inc., from Milwaukee. A psychologist from the company evaluates the tests for the department. The police department usually hears back from the company the next day.
Kelley said most of the people who apply for a job with his department have already been certified by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Certification includes 520 hours at the law enforcement academy as well as 60 college credits.
"Most of the people who apply already have prior police experience," Kelley said. "That's the competitiveness of the job."
According to the Associated Press, the state Justice Department estimates the tests could cost anywhere from between $500 to $1,000 each. The bill does not say who would pay for the tests.
Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley, who is chairman of the Law Enforcement Standards Board for Wisconsin, said his concern about the law is the cost.
"I think it's another unfunded mandate from the state," he said.
Pedley said the price tag could be high for counties or other municipalities already facing tight budgets.
"Where the money will come from will be a challenge," he said.
Pedley said most law enforcement departments have applicants take a test similar to Monroe's, or have the applicant see a psychologist for a face-to-face meeting.
What exactly is included in the final version of the bill is yet to be seen, he said.
The Assembly passed the measure on a voice vote with no debate. It goes next to the state Senate. The bill hasn't been scheduled for the Senate.