1. MOCK ASSESSMENT A SURVIVAL GUIDE
Master Officer Tammy Farnham
Ms. Juli Brown
Billy Walls

2. The Mock Assessment is Vitally Important!
Here’s your guide to surviving your Mock and having a successful Onsite Assessment

3. Mock VS Onsite Agency Driven Agency Sets Date Agency Selects Assessors
FAO Driven
Agency Sets Date
Agency Selects Assessors
Dress Rehearsal
AM Involved
Team is “extension of agency”
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ONE!
Agency can set date,
FAO Confirms
FAO Assigns Assessors
Final Report Prepared
Agency presented to FAO Commission at conference
Mock Assessments are not governed by CFA. Agency decides when and who will conduct Mock.
Mock Assessment should be handled just like the onsite! This is your agency dress rehearsal for the real assessment.

4. Planning the Mock Assessment
Set the Date
Agency Decides
Allow Days Minimum before Onsite
Check Calendar to ensure no conflicts (conference, holidays. Etc)
Make sure CEO is available!!
Mock Assessors
Ask FAO for recommendations
Use Assessors with Experience!
Don’t just use local to save money!
The tougher the Mock=easier assessment
Don’t request Mock Assessors on the PAC Request!
Ask CFA for list of approved assessors. All CFA approved assessors have been to training and have taken the CJIS training.
Only use experienced assessors! The Mock team is almost more important than the onsite team! An experienced Mock assessor will be able to recognize issues that have occurred at other agencies, recommend corrections and provide advice as to how to handle difficult situations.

5. Planning the Mock Assessment
Assign a Team Leader
May not Assign Chapters, have white board or chalk board accessible if possible
Provide Pre-Read packet
Information to obtain in advance
Personal or Agency vehicle
ADA needs
Food allergies
Preference for drinks, snacks
Any other needs
Per Diem
Let assessor know if it will be mailed or provided at assessment.
State Agencies
Assigning a team leader will give the team a leader that can address issues, if they arise, with the AM, Command Staff and/or CEO
Usually don’t assign chapters on a Mock. Assessors may use a white board or chalk board to keep track of chapters reviewed.
Make sure to ask assessor for any preferences for drinks, snacks and ADA needs
Ask assessor if they prefer to have per diem check mailed or provided at assessment. Keep in mind that they may need to have access to cash the check while at the assessment. State agencies have a different procedure for per diem.

6. Assessors Arrival Hotel Accommodations Agency Arrival Work Space
Select Hotel close to agency, if possible
Will AM meet assessors at hotel
Providing refreshments (OPTIONAL)
Agency Arrival
Parking considerations
Access to work space, provide access card, fob, etc if needed
Work Space
Private area
Refreshment table (coffee, water, etc)
Computer access
Resource Table
Let the team know if the AM will meet them at the hotel to pick up or escort them to the agency. If the agency is close by directions to the agency may be sufficient.
Provide parking for assessors. Let them know where they need to park and save the spots if necessary to prevent other vehicles from using the spaces
Work space should be a private area that has limited access. Don’t use a room that is frequently used by agency members for lunch, breaks, meetings, etc. Post a sign on the door if needed to bring attention that assessors are working in the space. Agency members are welcomed to meet with the team so they should not be prohibited from entering at all.
Provide a refreshment table with water, coffee and snacks. Snacks may be candy or mints, but should have something.
Agency should provide computer unless assessor states otherwise. Computer must have access to WI-FI or hard wired internet
Make sure passwords are printed out and work! TEST!
Provide a resource table, either electronic or physical

7. The Assessment Itinerary
Agency Tour
Entrance Interview
CEO should be present!
Static Display (OPTIONAL)
If you plan to have a static display for the Onsite you should have one for the Mock
File Review
Interviews, observations and ride-alongs will be time permitting
Exit Interview

8. Work Space Considerations
Private Area
Should AM stay in Room? Pros and Cons
Limited access, don’t use briefing rooms or other areas that agency members frequent
Restrooms
Computer Setup/Internet access. Agency should provide computers for assessment.
TEST! TEST! TEST!!
Print login information
FOR ONSITE – Save assessor unlock code on the computer desktop for easy cut/paste
Hard wired internet/WI-FI considerations
Refreshment Table
Provide access to coffee, water and snacks
Resource Table
May be electronic
Provide agency directives, contracts, Mutual Aid, emergency plans, agency contact list, etc.
The AM may choose to stay in the room during the Mock, but should not be in the room for the Onsite.
AM may hear discussion on issues with standards that may unnecessarily cause worry. Assessors frequently discuss standards and determine that there are no issues.

9. Sample Work Station Access to white board Water Computer Policy manual
Access card

10. File Review Priority will be file review Status in Power Standards
Interviews and Ride-Alongs will be time permitting
Status in Power Standards
Pros and Cons
Assessor Notes for AM
Word Document
Handwritten
Forms
Corrections/additions/changes
Should you make changes during Mock assessment?
Considerations before you decide!
The most important part of the Mock is the file review. Since assessors spend more time providing notes and suggestions to help make the Onsite more successful, less time is usually available for interviews and ride-alongs. Assessors will conduct interviews and observe important standards, howewer focus will be on the files.

13. You don’t’ have to feel this way after the assessors leave!

14. After the Mock What do you do with all those notes?!
Triage! Prioritize!
Mandatory Standards that have potential for compliance issues
Mandatory Standards needing directive corrections or proofs
Non- Mandatory Standards needing directive corrections or proofs
File maintenance issues, highlighting, naming bullets, etc
Always address mandatory standards first, non mandatory can always be taken as 20% if necessary!
Contact FAO for 2nd opinion if needed
Keep CEO informed.
Non Compliance issues
Corrective action issues

15. Tips for a successful assessment
Treat the Mock Assessment like the Onsite! This is a dress rehearsal for the real assessment.
Communicate with your assessors
Don’t panic when you have lots of notes after the Mock! You want a team that will be critical.
If you use an assessor to help prepare for the assessment they should not participate in the Onsite Assessment
Mock Assessment notes should NOT be shared with any member of the Onsite team
Never argue with an assessor, if you disagree call FAO
Agency CEO should always be present for the Entrance and Exit interview

16. YOU DID IT!! YOU SURVIVED!!