Screening for Corruption Using Standard Psychological Tests of Personality: A Review of Research Evidence

• NCJ Number: 208102
• Author(s): Michelle Sced
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 48 pages
• Corporate Author: Australasian Centre for Policing Research
• Sale Source: Australasian Centre for Policing Research
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Australiasian Centre for Policing Research Paper Series No. 11

Annotation

This report presents a review of the research evidence concerning whether the use of standard psychological tests of personality can be predictive of corruption risk.

Abstract

Psychological assessments of police officer applicants are commonplace in police agencies throughout Australasia. These assessments involve the use of psychological tests of personality. It has recently been proposed that these psychological tests can also be predictive of future behavior, specifically they may be useful to screen for corruption risk among police applicants. This paper searched the research literature for knowledge concerning: (1) the relationship between scores on standard psychological tests of personality and measures of police corruption; (2) whether scores of corrupt officers differed significantly from scores of non-corrupt officers on the standard psychological tests; and (3) whether standard psychological tests of personality can accurately screen for corruption risk. A literature search identified 16 studies that had used standard psychological tests of personality, involved law enforcement personnel, were predictive in nature, and included an objective measure of corruption. Thirteen studies addressed the relationship between psychological scores and measures of police corruption. Results provide tentative support for using psychological tests to predict corruption risk. Nine studies compared the scores of corrupt and non-corrupt officers on psychological tests and found consistent differences between their scores. Another nine studies addressed the predictive validity of standard psychological tests and found that there is variability in the accuracy with which these tests can predict which individuals are at risk of corruption. Overall, the research review suggests that standard psychological tests of personality have the potential to identify police applicants who are at risk of corruption. Police agencies are encouraged to investigate this possibility. Figures, tables, references, appendixes