Report: Police Officer Screenings Were Shorter Than Required

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore's inspector general is recommending that the city consider civil action against a psychological-services firm after finding that many of its mental health screenings for prospective police officers were shorter than required.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Inspector General Robert Pearre Jr. wrote in a memo to the City Council on Monday that nearly three-quarters of officers and trainees said their screenings with Psychology Consultants Associated lasted 30 minutes or less.

RELATED: Defense to Make Case in the Trial for Officer in Gray Death

Pearre says the city can sue for breach of contract, since the contract required at least an hour long interview with each candidate.

An attorney for the firm couldn't be reached for comment.

The firm also evaluated one of the officers charged in the April 2015 death of Freddie Gray. Gray died a week after suffering a spinal injury in police custody.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)