Education and Training Guidelines for the Specialty of Police and Public Safety Psychology

Police and public safety psychology (PPSP) has emerged as a new specialty in psychology. During the past 5 years, it has achieved recognition as a specialty by the American Psychological Association and affiliation as a specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology. This article provides the aspirational guidelines for education and training in this new specialty, with a focus on the foundational competencies necessary for a broad preparation in psychology and the additional functional competencies required for effective practice in this specialty. These guidelines cover education and training at the doctoral, postdoctoral, and postlicensure (continuing education) stages of preparation for specialty practice. They are intended for use by practicing police and public safety psychologists, educators, consumers, and accrediting organizations as guidance for developing and maintaining the requisite specialty competencies in the 4 domains of PPSP specialty practice: assessment, intervention, operational support, and organizational consulting.