Although law enforcement agencies realize that the best police officer does not necessarily make the best first-line supervisor, it is often difficult to judge whether an individual who is working well at one level of management will be successful at the next level. The skills involved may be more nearly alike in the latter case, but even experienced executives find it difficult to assess the exact scope of an individual's ability. To establish a basis for making promotion decisions, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department established an assessment procedure in 1974 that simulates basic situations with which an individual will be faced if promoted. The procedure provides information about how well the individual will cope at a higher level before the decision to promote is actually made. Surveys of 14 assessment centers conducted by the Kansas City Police Department indicate the centers are objective and valid in measuring a candidate's management potential. 1 reference.