Is homosexuality a fair question for psych exam?

[clrobb]

I was asked today by the shrink what my thoughts on homosexuality were. I'm pretty conservative and think its morally wrong behavior but I don't believe it to be an issue in the workplace. It's someone's personal choice and that's that.
I've worked with homosexuals in the past and have never had a problem. I'm applying in a pretty liberal city and I am hoping that this doesn't hurt my chances. Is this a fair question to ask for a psych exam interview? Just wanted to know if I should have said something else, but I don't feel comfortable being dishonest.
Anyone else with similar experience?

[ask80]

yes.. it's a proper question... i've had to written down what i think about women, homosexuals, asian, blacks, mexicans,etc...

i probably wouldn't have said that homosexuality is wrong... because now the psych thinks you're biased towards homosexuals..

[aftermath]

I've had that asked before, and same with the mulit-ethnic questions and women questions. Atleast for me, homosexuality doesn't bother me. It shouldn't. I'm not of that designation and what a person chooses in that area is their right. I've worked along side people that were, but just like anything else, you show respect you get respect. Same with the other areas I listed. You might think it's morally wrong, but who are you to judge them based on their choice? Does it affect you?

[travel_light]

what do you say about different races when they ask how you feel about them? I mean do you say that there good people or do you use some stereotype like "blacks are good at sports?" I have know problem with anybody, but how would you answer a question about a race with using stereotypes or basic "they're ok" answeres?

[ask80]

yep i basically said , " blacks are stereotyped as athletes and music artists."
"asians are stereotyped as smart."

etc... luckily i had to write it down cuz it took a long time to think of some stuff... and it was fill in the blanks

asians are...
i am...
women are ...
gang members are...(i put stupid :D )

and i have like 50 questions.. whew..it wasn't too easy... then my psych went over the answers but didn't say anything...

[GB0610]

I've had that asked before, and same with the mulit-ethnic questions and women questions. Atleast for me, homosexuality doesn't bother me. It shouldn't. I'm not of that designation and what a person chooses in that area is their right. I've worked along side people that were, but just like anything else, you show respect you get respect. Same with the other areas I listed. You might think it's morally wrong, but who are you to judge them based on their choice? Does it affect you?

This doens't help the orginal poster. This is simply your opinion about his opinion. And your question...."You might think it's morally wrong, but who are you to judge them based on their choice?" makes you look like you are saying that the original poster isn't entitiled to his own opinion. If he, based on his personal belief system, thinks that the actions of homosexuals are wrong, HE is the one to JUDGE them. He is not saying they are bad people or that he would hold anything against them professionally or even in his personal life, only that they are wrong in their actions. We all judge people everyday, rapists, speeders, etc, etc, etc. We are all entitled to express our opinions. You are upset because you don't agree with his.

To the original poster........Yes, those questions are common. I was grilled when they asked if I was "religious". I said no, but that I was a Christian. The shrink then begin to try to bait me into saying that I hated all of those of did not believe in God. she tried and tried, but I stood my ground and didn't let her twist my words. I passed.

You need to, in the future, try to be very "middle of the road" in your answers to phycs questions. They are looking for maturity. And for them, maturity is based on you being not to heavy handed on social issues they believe MIGHT cause you issues on the job. It doens't make a lot sense. But as long as you are level headed, you will get through.

[PhilipCal]

It's probably a reasonable question. What is important is how you deal with homosexuals on a day to day basis. The bottom line is that you have a right to your opinion.

[aftermath]

This doens't help the orginal poster. This is simply your opinion about his opinion. And your question...."You might think it's morally wrong, but who are you to judge them based on their choice?" makes you look like you are saying that the original poster isn't entitiled to his own opinion. If he, based on his personal belief system, thinks that the actions of homosexuals are wrong, HE is the one to JUDGE them. He is not saying they are bad people or that he would hold anything against them professionally or even in his personal life, only that they are wrong in their actions. We all judge people everyday, rapists, speeders, etc, etc, etc. We are all entitled to express our opinions. You are upset because you don't agree with his.

To the original poster........Yes, those questions are common. I was grilled when they asked if I was "religious". I said no, but that I was a Christian. The shrink then begin to try to bait me into saying that I hated all of those of did not believe in God. she tried and tried, but I stood my ground and didn't let her twist my words. I passed.

You need to, in the future, try to be very "middle of the road" in your answers to phycs questions. They are looking for maturity. And for them, maturity is based on you being not to heavy handed on social issues they believe MIGHT cause you issues on the job. It doens't make a lot sense. But as long as you are level headed, you will get through.

Honestly I don't care about his opinion one way or another. Like you said, it is his to have. However, he asked for similar experiences. To come out and say homosexuality is morally wrong is his view, but again, who is he to say it is morally wrong? Just because his morals are different from someone else doesn't make him right or them wrong. Remember, he has to remain middle of the fence on almost all topics of those nature. He isn't in a position to judge someone else based on sexual preference, hair color, etc. as it doesn't impact his life unless he lets it. If he has predispositions like that then maybe this isn't the field for him.

[ask80]

one of my ethics instructors in the academy said that everyone has prejudices no matter what... in the law enforcement field, you can let the prejudice cloud your judgement or the way you treat people... basically treat everyone the same ... but hopefully we're not getting off topic

[GB0610]

Honestly I don't care about his opinion one way or another. Like you said, it is his to have. However, he asked for similar experiences. To come out and say homosexuality is morally wrong is his view, but again, who is he to say it is morally wrong? Just because his morals are different from someone else doesn't make him right or them wrong. Remember, he has to remain middle of the fence on almost all topics of those nature. He isn't in a position to judge someone else based on sexual preference, hair color, etc. as it doesn't impact his life unless he lets it. If he has predispositions like that then maybe this isn't the field for him.

Hair color? Who you CHOOSE to sleep with is a choice, not something you have no control over. Whether you think sexual preference is hereditary or not, its still a choice.

Who he is to say its morally wrong? He, himself. That's all he needs. And if he is entitilled to his opinion (which you say he is), then there should be nothing wrong with him saying he is "against" a homosexual lifestyle.

What it really boils down to, in policing, is if you can but your personal opinion aside and enforce the law without prejudice. Speaking for myself, as a police officer, I know I can.

[BlueLineBrad]

I was put through utter HELL at an agency in Central Florida. My old agency looked for anything and everything to try and punish me on, all this AFTER they found out I was gay. Didnt matter I made the largest drug bust in town history, or the fact that I made nearly all the arrests or the fact that I foiled several Car/House burglaries.. that didnt matter after they found out i was gay. Needless to say I handed that agency their butts when all was said and done. They even stooped so low as to fabricate an Internal Affairs Investigation on me thinking that I nor my attorney would catch it.. and mind you this was all coming from some admistrators only, 2 of which were in a ministry school part-time. When all was said and done and I left the agency, 6 other officers up and left as well at the disgust at the way that agency treated me. To this day that small agency cannot retain officers and they have a bad reputation within the rest of the county.

I was completely out here in pennsylvania when I served here from 2001-2003 and never once had a problem, not the slightest, but the second my *** touched down in the south the redneckism came out. And mind you, im a Tennessee boy, so im not being disrespectful to southerners at all, I am one. But this crap has to stop. That agency was deadset on not only trying to get rid of me, but they actually wanted to taint my career... I dont think so.... Its time for change and its right around the corner. You dont treat ANYONE, especially a fellow Officer like this..

Your an ignorant person if you believe that homosexuality is wrong and is a choice. As a Police Officer you are given a very important and speical responsibility, you should be capable of rising way above the religious hate. And grow the hell up.

[BlueLineBrad]

Oh and btw, ive been with my partner for 8.5 years now...im 29 years old. All my admistrators werent capable of holding a relationship. Just thought id point that out.

[AirmanE3]

Wait... they can ask how you feel about homosexuality as well as other races, and DQ you over it?

[aftermath]

Wait... they can ask how you feel about homosexuality as well as other races, and DQ you over it?

Yes, because it demonstrates potential "problems" you may have in society with your position. If the poster wants to be a cop, then he'll need to put such thinking that homosexuality is immoral, etc aside and focus on law enforcement. Not deciding, well, he's gay so he doesn't have the same priviledges, etc that a straight person has. Just like any "situations" in your life, you leave that at home and work is for work.

[ask80]

lets not debate over whether homosexuality is wrong or not.. everyone has their own opinions and prejudices on everything... i could care less is you're gay, black,white, mexican, asian, tall,small, etc.. as long as you show respect to me then i do the same...

and yes it's crucial questions during the psych... you deal with all types of peoples in the field.. you have to be unbiased and fair.. if the psych finds out you're "racist" or have certain prejudices, you're canned...

[GB0610]

If the poster wants to be a cop, then he'll need to put such thinking that homosexuality is immoral, etc aside and focus on law enforcement. Not deciding, well, he's gay so he doesn't have the same priviledges, etc that a straight person has. Just like any "situations" in your life, you leave that at home and work is for work.

I couldn't agree with you more. As long as a Police Officer can leave his personal opinions at the door, and judge everyone fairly across the board, he will do just fine on the job.

And you know what, this transfers, for me at least, to my personal life. My father-in-law is gay. And as a Christian, I have absolutly no hate toward him or his partner. I truly enjoy the time I get to spend with both of them.

But ya, we could turn this into a debate over homosexuality. But my original post was in regards to the belief that an Officer can not agree with a homosexual lifestyle, and state such in phyc exam, and all the while be a fair and just administer of the law.

To the gentleman who posted his experience.......I am sorry to hear that you were hung out to dry. If all things are as you say, you, and every other Officer who has ever been in your shoes deserves an apology.