Diplomate in Police Psychology

The Diplomate in Police Psychology, awarded by the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology (SPCP), is the premier board certification in this specialty area of applied psychology. SPCP is an eclectic association of professionals (e.g., psychologists, professors, researchers, attorneys) with an interest in matters of law enforcement and behavioral science, but only psychologists are eligible for the diplomate certification in police psychology.

Police psychology encompasses many specialized services provided to law enforcement agencies by psychologists, such as pre-employment psychological testing, specialty assignment and fitness-for-duty evaluations, organization development, training, hostage negotiation team consultation, and critical incident stress debriefing.

In order to assess these areas of knowledge, written and oral examinations in person are required of all candidates for the diplomate. These examinations are designed and administered by currently active diplomates in police psychology. Attainment of this high and rare distinction signifies that the holder has demonstrated to a board of peers his or her expertise in the history, theory, principles, practices, techniques and ethics of police psychology. Those who qualify are recognized by their peers as capable and accomplished in police psychology

Diplomate status is a level above graduate training and state licensure requirements. As a minimum, police psychologists hold a doctoral degree in professional psychology and have appropriate credentials to practice psychology within the jurisdictions of their respective states, typically requiring years of supervised experience and post-graduate training. SPCP provides an advanced venue in which police psychologists continue their postgraduate educational experiences.

In its more than 30 years as a professional association, the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology has awarded the diplomate to fewer than 50 people.

View more information about our Diplomate Program (PDF). For more information on the Diplomate in Police Psychology or to obtain an application, please contact James S. Herndon, Ph.D., Ed.D., Chair, Diplomate Committee, 109 Hatfield Court, Longwood, FL 32779, (407) 682-1397, E-Mail: DrJHerndon@aol.com

Review Board Committee

James S. Herndon, Ph.D., Ed.D. (Chair)
Daniel A. Goldfarb, Ph.D.
Kris Mohandie, Ph.D.
Cary D. Rostow, Ph.D., M.P.
Herbert M. Gupton, Ph.D., ABPP

Requirements

(Applicable to members of the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology as of November 1, 1988.)

Completed application form.
Copy of vita/resume.
Copy of graduate transcripts / Ph.D. diploma from a regionally accredited college or university.
Organization of employment. (If not a police agency, evidence of experience working (consulting, clinical, research, etc.) with police agencies, law enforcement officers, management, etc. Note: Research with police agencies will suffice, however, experience as a law enforcement officer only will not suffice.)
Evidence of a continued involvement in police issues for a period of at least five years.
Proof of state licensure or employment in a governmental or academic setting for a period of at least five years.
Two references from a criminal justice professional with a documented history of involvement in law enforcement.
Membership, in good standing, in the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology. (Note: Review board committee will document membership.)
$375 application fee (non-refundable)*.
You must attend at least one SPCP meeting during each three year period.
Submit FOUR (4) copies of the above to:

James S. Herndon, Ph.D., Ed.D P.O. Box 540296 Orlando, FL 32854

Please include all materials requested above to avoid processing delays.

*You may enclose your check with your application materials, or you may pay online with a credit card.

Applicants whose application materials are approved by the Review Board Committee will be scheduled to sit for the diplomate examination at the next Society conference. The diplomate examination consists of a comprehensive written examination and an oral examination by three diplomate members of the Society.

Diplomates Awarded

Names marked + indicate active Diplomate status. Click linked names to read a brief biographical statement of the Diplomate

1. Wayman C. Mullins +
2. Michael G. Aamodt +
3. Michael J. McMains
4. James T. Turner +
5. Chris Hatcher*
6. Frederick N. Bradstreet
7. Gregorio Pina, III
8. Gerald F. Serafino +
9. Donn W. Hubler
10. Gregory Riede
11. Lynne Donna Zager
12. James Janik
13. Jack S. Annon*
14. John Stephen Price
15. Leonard D. Medoff
16. Stephen Rubin +
17. Jack N. Singer
18. M.D. Koch
19. Randolph Alan Nutter
20. (Rescinded)
21. Joseph R. Flippo
22. Peter DiVasto
23. Wilson W. Kimbrough*
24. Myles L. Cooley
25. Samuel A. Herbert
26. Stephen B. Lawrence
27. (Open number)
28. (Open number)
29. (Open number)
30. Michael G. Gelles +
31. Daniel A. Goldfarb +
32. Gary S. Aumiller +
33. Clint Voelm
34. Eugene Schmuckler
35. David M. Corey
36. James S. Herndon +
37. Anthony Stone +
37. Rodney Fowler (duplicate number)
38. James L. Greenstone +
40. Donald Dushkind
41. Jack Kitaeff
42. Kris Mohandie +
48. Cary D. Rostow +
49. Robert D. Davis
50. James T. Reese
51. Jon H. Moss +
52. Charles R. Burchell
53. (Open number)
54. Mary-Wales North +
55. Robin Inwald +
56. Herbert M. Gupton +
57. Dorothy Cotton +

+ Active Diplomate status
* Deceased