Correctional Officer Assessment Strategy

How we helped one of our public sector clients improve their selection processes.

The public sector client EPSI worked with is responsible for ensuring that Ontario’s communities are supported and protected by reliable, safe, effective, efficient, and accountable law enforcement and public safety systems. The ministry has jurisdiction over five main areas: corrections, public safety, policing, animal welfare, and the anti-racism branch.  

The issue  

The public sector client undertook a Corrections Occupational Competency Modernization Review in 2018 to establish core competencies for recruiting and retaining correctional officers.

Human resource consultants responsible for selection processes noted some issues in their staffing processes, including: psychometric assessments used, minimum age, education requirements, difficulty retaining new hires, difficulty determining if recruits had unconscious racial bias, recruiting candidates from various employment equity groups (Aboriginal/First Nations/Metis/Inuit), and recruiting candidates to work in northern and remote areas.

The approach 

• Consultation with key stakeholders 

Key stakeholders participated in a series of consultations, during which critical information was obtained on the organization’s values, needs, and concerns regarding the hiring process.

• Analysis of Selection Strategy Questionnaires 

Two consultants analyzed the selection strategy questionnaires that were shared. Common themes were then identified within the stakeholder group. In addition, four consultants conducted a review of the scientific literature on these same themes, specifically on assessments of cognitive skills, personality, unconscious bias, and other related competencies, such as resilience and integrity, negative impact, age and education requirements, maturity levels, etc. 

• Report Development 

A 56-page report was submitted to the client, identifying findings and recommendations for the short, medium, and long term. 

Outcomes