NCJ Number
86229
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The scores of black and white police officers on a promotion examination were compared to determine the validity of charges that the examination was racially discriminatory.
Abstract
The examination consisted of a written test containing 100 multiple-choice items and an oral interview which produced a fitness and merit rating for each candidate for promotion. The examination was completed by 65 male sergeants in the United States Park Police of the Department of the Interior. They were all of the candidates for promotion to lieutenant in the fall of 1978. The candidates were rank-ordered based on a weighted sum of the written and oral portions of the examination. The candidates included 52 white men and 12 black men. The top nine candidates were white. However, no difference was found in the two groups' mean scores on either the written or the oral portions of the examination. The blacks showed less variability in scores, probably because of the small numbers of candidates for the promotions. The negative relationship which was found between the age of the candidate and the score on the written test probably occurred because the older candidates in the examination were the less capable members of their generation. The charges of racial/ethnic discrimination were not supported, mainly because of the small number of candidates. Further data collection is recommended so that the presence or absence of an adverse impact of the examination can be determined. Tables and one reference are included.