The American Board of Police and Public Safety Psychology (ABPPSP) is a specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), having become fully affiliated on October 21, 2011. Police and public safety psychology focuses on assisting law enforcement and other public safety personnel and agencies in carrying out their missions and societal functions with optimal effectiveness, safety, health, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. It involves the application of psychological science and practice across four primary domains: assessment, clinical intervention, operational support, and organizational consultation.
Police and public safety psychology requires, at a minimum, specialized knowledge in the following areas: the essential functions of police and public safety personnel and organizations; working conditions unique to their roles; common and emerging stressors inherent in public safety work; typical and atypical responses to occupational stress and trauma; research related to resilience and recovery in public safety personnel; and the unique aspects of confidentiality and testimonial privilege when providing services to public safety personnel and agencies. Additional specialized knowledge is required for practice within each of the four domains.
