NCJ Number
206183
Journal
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2004 Pages: 17-26
Date Published
2004
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study reports on an analysis of Bartol’s Immaturity Index and Hargrave and Associates’ Aggressiveness Index as a measure of police conduct.
Abstract
The MMPI-2 is the most widely used personality test in clinical practice in the Unites States for preferred psychometric instrument for forensic applications and is extensively used in the selection of law enforcement personnel. Inappropriate or undesirable behaviors in police officers represent a great risk to the financial stability and reputations of law enforcement agencies, usually due to subsequent civil rights violations and lawsuits. Liability associated with destructive behaviors might be greatly reduced by a reasonably accurate prediction of such potential candidates. Two MMPI indices have previously shown promising empirical results in the prediction of future misconduct in law enforcement candidates. The correlations between supervisory ratings and the Immaturity and Aggressiveness indices were examined for 1,020 law enforcement officers. The results showed that the Immaturity index was related to termination for failure to complete training and insubordination. The Aggressiveness Index was related to a termination for failure to complete training and several other problematic police behaviors, but was not found to be specifically lined with acts of aggression. Results of this study support the shift away from clinical and subjective interpretation of psychometric tools in police selection and the move towards using these tools in a scientific and actuarial model. Tables, references