Research In Law Enforcement Selection PDF Download

A research study exploring the validity of predictor measures in the selection of successful Florida police officers is summarized. The project, undertaken by the Human Resources Institute at the University of Florida at the request of the Florida Police Department, tested the validity of two types of prediction measures in selecting successful law enforcement officers. The measures were physical, biographic, and demographic characteristics of the applicants and psychological tests including civil service exam, aptitude and intelligence tests, measures of values, interests, and attitudes, and tests of personality and motivation. These predictors were verified against actual job performance of law enforcement officers. Performance at the police academy and performance on the job during the probationary period and/or as tenured patrol officer were indicators of actual performance. The test population consisted of 317 recruit volunteers at various Florida testing centers who were categorized as 'successful' (i.e., rehirable by their department) or 'failures' (recruits who failed police academy, were discharged, or resigned). Four biodata items discriminated between successes and failures for the Caucasian males: participation in high school athletics, fewer family moves, less need for job encouragement, and higher values for achievement and societal contributions. Successful females were less likely to be single and they more often reported that they were not bothered by bragging co-workers. All four N-D scales (Nelson-Denny) significantly discriminated between successful and failing Caucasian males and females. Other important factors for male Caucasian officers were capacity for status, intellectual efficiency, sociability, dominance, and achievement via conformance scales. The preliminary results of the Florida project provide encouraging evidence of the predictive value of demographic variables and psychological tests in police selection.