Information: Psychologist Police Interviews
Most police services require a psychological interview as part of the hiring process.
This interview is conducted by a licensed psychologist and is used to assess the applicant’s personality traits, emotional regulation, behaviour, and suitability for policing.
This page provides a brief overview of what the police psych interview involves.
What the Psychological Interview Evaluates
WPolice psychological interviews typically examine:
- Emotional stability and self-regulation
- Integrity and honesty
- Decision-making and judgment
- Stress tolerance
- Social functioning
- Interpersonal style
- Conscientiousness and work ethic
- Consistency with personality test results
The goal is not to “pass or fail” based on a single answer, but to determine whether the applicant demonstrates patterns aligned with policing responsibilities.
What Happens During the Interview
While each psychologist has their own style, most psych interviews include:
- A review of your written personality test results
- Questions about your background, history, and behavioural patterns
- Discussion of work, relationships, and stress responses
- Clarifying questions if any patterns seem inconsistent
- Assessment of communication, composure, and emotional tone
Your conduct, honesty, self-insight, and steadiness matter as much as the content of your answers.
How to Prepare for the Psych Interview
Preparation helps you approach this stage with confidence and professionalism.
Effective preparation includes:
- Understanding the traits police services look for
- Knowing how patterns from personality tests appear in interviews
- Practising calm, grounded communication
- Recognizing and correcting common interview pitfalls
- Understanding how emotional regulation is evaluated
- Presenting your history with clarity and consistency
Prepared applicants feel steadier, more confident, and more aligned with expectations during this stage.