NCJ Number
79671
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The development of criteria for the selection of police officers and current selection techniques are discussed.
Abstract
Since minimum standards for police officer selection were introduced 100 years ago, a number of measurement methods have gradually evolved. In 1917 intelligence quotient tests were introduced, followed by Alpha tests in 1921, and a battery of psychological tests in subsequent years. These tests were of a general type (e.g., Rorschach's Multiphasic Personality Inventory) used to establish personality types. The consensus after many years of study is that police officers should possess three particular characteristics: 1) pragmatic intelligence, 2) emotional stability, and 3) well developed social sensitivity. Today, tests may be employed for either negative or positive selection, i.e., elimination of unsuitable candidates or identification of the individuals with the highest potential for police work. At present, selection is largely negative. Current research is directed toward developing situational tests which closely simulate reality and toward development of scales for testing the results. The ideal selection method by current standards consists of three phases: a written exam and personality tests; situational examination including structured interviews and group discussions; and background and physical examinations. Future goals are development of an entirely positive means of candidate selection and improvement of testing the socially relevant personality factors of potential police officer candidates. Several notes are supplied.