Release time: 2026-08-02 12:18

"Psychological screening during police officer recruitment is vital," says BPS

DFP Scotland chair Dr Adam Mahoney writes in the Scotsman, emphasising the importance of psychological screening for new police officers.

By BPS Communications

Dr Adam Mahoney, chair of the BPS's Division of Forensic Psychology Scotland, has emphasised the need for psychological screening of new police officers in a letter published in the Scotsman. The article was published in response to this story: Calls for psychological screening in wake of rapist police officer revelations. 

Dr Mahoney said: 

The importance of psychological screening when police officers are recruited has never been more vital.

It is right AI is seen as part of the potential solution for screening new recruits. However, it is important to remember that AI can't replicate genuine human connection nor recognise subtle social cues or emotions. With cost clearly being a barrier to having human-led psychological screenings for all new officers, a mix of both AI and in-person screenings could represent the best of both worlds.  

The shocking actions of PC Alan Greer should be a wake-up call for how the recruitment process is currently carried out. If something doesn't change, horrific cases such like this one may repeat themselves in the future - a situation we surely want to avoid at all costs.