Psychological examinations are required in order to get a peace officer license in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Standards and Training Board also requires background checks before someone can become a licensed officer in the state.

Bismarck Police Sgt. Dwight Offerman and Mandan Police Lt. Paul Leingang said potential job candidates at their departments are given conditional job offers based on such things as written tests and interviews. Then, the candidates must pass a psychological examination and a background check before candidates are hired.

"We're pretty fussy about who we give a gun to,"Offerman said.

Burleigh County Sheriff's Lt. Nick Sevart said the sheriff's department also requires psychological examinations for detention center staff, which is not required by law.

Sevart said Sunday's deadly shooting in Wisconsin by an off-duty deputy highlights the reasons North Dakota requires psychological assessments.

"That's exactly why we do it,"he said. "Hopefully that would catch any mental illnesses."

Offerman said requiring psychological examinations does not mean the hiring system in North Dakota is perfect.

"Is that a guarantee? No," he said. "People are still people."

- Jenny Michael