NCJ Number
93108
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1984) Pages: 1-11
Date Published
1984
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Using predictive validity studies, this analysis indicates that the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI) are reliable predictors of future police job behavior.
Abstract
Subjects for this study consisted of 329 newly hired male urban police officers. As applicants, subjects were required to complete a battery of tests including the standard long form of the MMPI, a personal history questionnaire, and the IPI. Data for the job criteria and ratings were obtained from records kept on each hired male while attending the academy of a large urban police department. The performance criteria used were the number of latenesses, absences, injuries received on the job, the number of 'derelictions' given by a supervisor, the frequency of assignment to restrictive duty, the number of positive and negative reports received by the recruit, and overall evaluation made by a superior officer, and a final rating of behavior exhibited in the 6-month training academy. Findings indicate that scales measuring 'acting out' behavior, as measured on the IPI scales 'trouble with the law,' 'job difficulties,' and 'drugs,' best predicted negative behaviors for the subjects on eight of the nine job performance measures. Officers demonstrating a heightened awareness and sensitivity to others, as well as some wariness, were rated more positively by their superiors. The IPI was a more effective predictor than the MMPI; however, in some cases, the MMPI scales helped to increase overall prediction accuracy when used in conjunction with the IPI. Tabular data and 13 references are provided.