NCJ Number
73647
Journal
Bramshill Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 45-54
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Current British procedures for selecting police sergeants are criticized, and a new selection procedure is suggested that has predictive validity concerning the suitability of applicants to be sergeants.
Abstract
At present, selection for the rank of police sergeant is based on a written promotion examination. The Metropolitan Police examination tests a candidate's knowledge of law and procedure, and its questions can be most accurately answered by quoting from Metropolitan Police General Orders and from Acts of Parliament. At the completion of 11 months in the rank of sergeant, the officers are evaluated by their immediate supervisors in a confirmation report which considers 12 aspects of the sergeant's duties. A comparison of examination scores and confirmation report ratings demonstrated that the examination alone provided an ineffective prediction of a candidate's performance. Therefore, a 3-day selection process is suggested. On the first day, a written examination would be conducted as at present. Character tests, two interviews, a group exercise, and a practical situations test would be administered on the second day. On the third day, another character test, an in-basket test, another practical situations test, final interview, and a mutual ranking would take place. The group exercise could provide information on a candidate's relationships with others during a discussion or in mock practical situations. Such practical situations tests could provide insight into the candidate's judgment, initiative, attitude towards the public, and detective ability. The inbasket test would require the candidate to provide written answers to practical problems such as the correction of accident reports or the taking of various reports. Interviews would measure oral expression, sense of duty, knowledge, and appearance. Tables, notes, 11 references, and sample forms are supplied.