The Use of Written Exams in Police and Fire Departments: Implications for Social Diversity

This exploratory analysis seeks to determine the extent to which written exams are required by law for police and firefighters across the United States and whether, in fact, they are being used. The continued use of written exams has served as a major obstacle to the attainment of social equity based on race in these uniformed services. The study also explores the use and importance of nonconventional testing methods (e.g., assessment centers). The study finds that while civil service laws in most jurisdictions do not require the use of written exams, police and fire departments continue to rely on them in hiring and/or promotion. It further shows that nonconventional methods are used in some capacity, but written exams either supplement these methods or are integrated into them.