NCJ Number
104189
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1986) Pages: 293-299
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study confirmed the hypothesis that the correlation between training and job performance will be higher for officers with high conformity tendencies and intelligence than for officers who rate lower on these variables.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 132 police officers who had completed recruit training within a recent 3-year period at the police academy of a large Southern city. The training course in which all subjects participated taught the fundamentals of police work. The Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, which measures intelligence, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, which includes a measurement of conformity, were administered prior to training as part of the selection procedure. Training scores on graded academy exercises were taken from the personnel records of each officer. Job performance data were obtained from the administration of the Behavioral Checklist by the supervisory lieutenants familiar with the subjects' work. Conforming officers were more willing than nonconforming officers to adapt the skills and knowledge acquired in training to the job setting. The more intelligent officers were significantly more likely than the less intelligent officers to transfer training knowledge and skills to the job setting. Implications are drawn for police training and incentives and research on the effects of training on job performance. 4 tables and 27 references.