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Step 4:
Psychological Exam

To safely accommodate our peace officer candidates while continuing to address California’s public safety needs during the COVID-19 crisis, CDCR’s Psychological Screening Program is offering applicants the option to complete their psychological screening examination virtually by participating in a telehealth video interview using a HIPAA-compliant platform. This is not mandatory, and all candidates will continue to have the option to be scheduled for an in-person interview. All necessary details and instructions will be made available to candidates prior to being scheduled.

Peace Officer Psychological Screening Interview via web video
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The Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation (POPE) evaluates your psychological suitability to the role of a peace officer.

The role of a peace officer can be physically and emotionally demanding. The Psychological Evaluation helps determine how you respond to stressful and challenging situations.

Regulations, Rules, and Policies

Government Code Section 1031(f) requires peace officer candidates to be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

PSP adheres to the POST Psychological Screening Manual and its set of ten Peace Officer Psychological Screening Dimensions when conducting evaluations and determining the suitability of peace officer candidates.

The psychological evaluation has three parts:

  1. Two personality inventories
  2. Psychological History Questionnaire
  3. Interview with a psychologist
Peace Officer Psychological Screening Interview via web video

Written Peace Officer Psychological Evaluation (WPOPE)

The WPOPE consists of two written psychological inventories that are legally required for the selection of peace officers in the state of California.

Each inventory includes a series of questions that help determine your suitability for the role of a peace officer. This gives the screening psychologist useful information to discuss during your psychological interview.

If you cannot attend your scheduled WPOPE, you must contact your assigned testing center.

  • Northern Testing Center (916) 255-1025
  • Central Testing Center (559) 650-2375
  • Southern Testing Center (909) 944-6697

If you do not reschedule your WPOPE, you may be removed from the selection process and unable to reapply for six months from the disqualification date.

Peace Officer Psychological Screening Interview

After successfully completing the WPOPE, you will be scheduled for the Peace Officer Psychological Screening Interview.

In the interview, the psychologist will gather more information to help determine how you might perform in the role of a peace officer.

To schedule your interview, you will be contacted via email by staff from the Psychological Screening Program. Make sure to check your email every day to watch for the email notification, including checking “junk” and “spam” folders.

Psychological in person interview

On the day of your Psychological Screening: 

  • Dress in business attire.
  • You must bring your scheduling notice and a valid photo identification to your interview, such as a driver’s license, military ID, government ID, or passport. If you do not bring valid photo identification, you will not be admitted to the screening.
  • Occasionally, treatment records from previous providers are required before scheduling the screening interview. If you do not provide the requested information by the due date, your process may be delayed.

All psychological interviews are by appointment only. You have two options to complete your psychological interview(s):

  1. By video appointment – Attend the interview virtually using a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
  2. In person – Attend an in-person interview at one of our three selection centers.