NCJ Number
216521
Journal
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2006 Pages: 83-89
Date Published
2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This survey of current tests and procedures commonly used in law enforcement pre-employment psychological screenings in the southeastern United States involved responses from 20 psychologists who provided services to 478 Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in 2005.
Abstract
Approximately 55 percent of the psychologists used semistructured/structured interview forms/questionnaires completed by the job applicant. Just over 50 percent of the agencies used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Inwald Personality Inventory, and the California Personality Inventory. Forty-nine percent of the agencies used the Wonderlic Personnel Test. This report recommends that each pre-employment evaluation include at a minimum a test of psychopathology, a test of normal personality functioning, and a test of cognitive or problem solving ability. At a minimum, pre-employment interviews should address histories of employment, military service, social experiences, legal contacts, substance abuse, and health. Obtaining a detailed informed consent and post-evaluation perceptions from the candidates is recommended. The survey was conducted at the 2005 annual meeting of the consortium of Police Psychologists. 2 tables, 21 references, and appended sample of a statement of informed consent for pre-employment psychological evaluation and a sample post-interview statement of understanding