Psychological firm that screens Baltimore police under review

The company that does mental health evaluations on officers in the Baltimore Police Department is under investigation for cutting corners.

Psychology Consultants Associated is under investigation by Baltimore City and has been put on probation by state police for cutting corners in its mental health screenings of officers.

Maryland State Police took action against the company in June after an investigation showed the firm's president, psychologist Kenneth Sachs, and his employees and contractors were completing evaluations of officers' mental stability in 15 minutes instead of the 45 minutes required by the state contract, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.

Experts say 15 minutes is far too short to adequately conduct psychological assessments, either for police applicants or officers seeking to return to active duty.

As part of his contract with city police, Sachs assessed the mental health and fitness for duty of officers who were removed from active duty due to psychological problems.

That would have included Lt. Brian Rice, who was hospitalized in April 2012 and had his guns confiscated by Carroll County Sheriff's deputies.

Court records and the sheriff's reports raised concerns about Rice's self-control and judgment. Rice was accused in June 2012 of removing a semi-automatic handgun from the trunk of his personal vehicle and threatening the mother of his child.

Kevin Harris, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, sent the following statement to 11 News:

"These are very serious allegations of great concern to the mayor. She has requested an investigation to determine the facts so that appropriate actions can be taken should any wrong doing be uncovered. This will be a very broad investigation, involving both the city's law department and the office of the inspector general."

In the past five years, Psychology Consultants Associated has held contracts with at least 17 Maryland law enforcement agencies.

A lawyer for Sachs denied the allegations.

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