A fitness for duty evaluation may be performed at the request of a department when an officer's behavior is judged to be questionable or when particular duty circumstances warrant. Although many departments have formal policies stipulating the circumstances under which such an evaluation must be performed, other departments request these evaluations on a discretionary basis. Some typical reasons for requesting a fitness for duty evaluation are:

• Officer involved in shooting
• Suspected alcohol or substance abuse
• Significant citizen complaints (due to frequency or type)
• Chronic behavioral or supervisory problems
  

The fitness for duty process typically requires several (1 to 3) sessions with a LESI® professional as well as several psychological tests. At the conclusion of the process, the officer may be found fit for duty unconditionally, returned to limited duty, returned to full duty with conditions, or declared unfit for duty and deferred for treatment.

Conditional return to duty is typically dependent upon the involved officer participating in professional treatment as an outpatient. This treatment is performed by a provider of the officer's choosing and, except in cases of line of duty trauma, at the officer's expense. LESI® will not directly participate in the treatment process but will make referral to local professionals, if requested. LESI® professionals serve as the communications "bridge" between the officer's therapist and the Department, thereby assuring confidentiality and objectivity. Upon successful completion of this treatment, the officer is returned to unconditional duty status.