Beau Lamarre-Condon: Inside the psychological tests given to police recruits as senior officer charged over the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies

The psychometric tests involved in the recruitment of NSW police officers are under scrutiny after a serving senior officer was charged with the double murder of Channel Ten presenter Jesse Baird and his friend Luke Davies.

Psychometric tests measure the suitability of candidates for a position based on the required personality traits and aptitude.

They are a useful way for police recruiters to determine whether a person is mentally fit for a role that is often stressful and involves a high degree of responsibility.

Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, is accused of killing the two men at Baird’s apartment in Paddington, Sydney’s east, last Monday before disposing of their bodies, which have yet to be found.

In the days following Lamarre-Condon turning himself in at Bondi police station, there has been much discussion on social media about what background or psychological tests he had undergone when he joined the force in 2019.

Many commentators noted that before joining the force, Lamarre-Condon was known as a ‘celebrity hunter’ who stalked Hollywood stars during their visits to Australia, with some questioning whether this should have excluded him from recruitment.

All applicants applying to join the NSW Police Force must complete a seven-stage process that allows recruiters to determine their suitability for a career in law enforcement.

This includes a psychometric assessment that assesses their psychological state.

The test includes a comprehensive personality test that uses 51 scales to measure a person’s level of aggression, stress, self-doubt and suicidal tendencies.

Former Victoria Police homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, who worked on some of the state’s most high-profile cases, told Daily Mail Australia that applicants from both states must undergo psychological testing, which has become more stringent in recent years.

Bezzina said the process involves “sitting down at a computer and answering about 600 questions” before an in-person interview with a psychologist.

He claimed this computerized test had since been ‘reduced to approximately 300 questions’ in an effort to attract more recruits in Victoria.

Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, (pictured) is accused of killing the two men last Monday before disposing of their bodies, which have yet to be found. In the days following Lamarre-Condon’s surrender, there has been widespread discussion on social media about what background and psychological testing he had undergone when he joined the force in 2019.

Mr Bezzina said that after these initial responses are analyzed, police officers will not be subject to further psychological assessments unless they are involved in a “critical incident”, such as a shooting or high-speed chase.

Peter Moroney completed these tests when he joined the NSW Police nearly two decades ago.

He said part of the process is to identify any mental health issues.

“As part of recruitment it is mandatory that they take a psychometric test,” Moroney told Daily Mail Australia.

‘If any abnormalities are noted, they are referred to a third party, such as a psychiatrist, for assessment.’

Mr Moroney said no one with identified mental health issues gets through the recruitment process without being assessed by someone else.

He said it is common for officers to develop mental health issues on the job; However, there are no requirements to participate in routine mental health checks.

Mr Moroney went on to explain that psychological testing is often not done again until an officer applies for a more specialist role, meaning an officer could potentially go years without a proper reassessment.

The investigation into the alleged murders of Mr Baird and Mr Davies is ongoing.

Lamarre-Condon has not applied for bail and remains in custody.