Incremental Validity of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire in the Preemployment Assessment of Police Officer Candidates

Guidelines for screening public safety personnel candidates, including law enforcement positions, incorporate the use of separate psychological tests for assessing normal and abnormal functioning. We evaluated the incremental validity of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)—a measure of normal personality traits—beyond the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), a measure of psychopathology, using a sample of 1,687 candidates for law enforcement positions. They were clinically rated on 10 psychological suitability dimensions. For a subset of those who were subsequently hired as police officers ( n = 397), we also had post-hire outcome data. Using hierarchical nonlinear regression analyses, we found that the MPQ scales incremented the MMPI-2-RF scales in the prediction of 17 of 19 variables in this study. Our results indicate that the MPQ, as a measure of normal personality, provides unique information about psychological suitability and predicts negative post-hire outcomes in police candidates.

Special Weapons and Tactics Occupational-Specific Physical Assessments and Fitness Measures

Specialist tactical response police are required to frequently perform physically demanding tasks at high-risk capability levels, emphasizing the need for optimal physical fitness in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between select measures of physical fitness and performance on an occupational-specific physical assessment (OSPA). A retrospective analysis on 18 male specialist police candidates (age = 32.1 ± 5.04 yrs; height = 183.72 ± 5.79 cm; body mass = 89.44 ± 8.56 kg; body mass index (BMI) = 26.45 ± 1.58 kg/m2) was conducted. Data were comprised of anthropometric measures, assorted fitness measures and OSPA performance scores. A stepwise linear regression determined the influence of measured fitness parameters on OSPA performance. A regression featuring both the 1 RM military shoulder press and grip strength of the non-dominant hand was the most significant predictor of performance (adjusted r2 = 0.565, p = 0.001). A separate model, exclusively using the 1 RM military shoulder press additionally predicted OSPA performance (adjusted r2 = 0.240, p = 0.023). These results emphasize the importance of optimal upper-limb muscular strength and its impact on key occupational tasks in specialist police candidates.

Functional Competencies

In this chapter, the authors discuss the functional competencies required to conduct psychological evaluations of police candidates and officers, including “occupational competence,” which includes knowledge about the essential functions of police officers, their working conditions and chain of command, and the psychological demands and stressors of police work. The authors provide guidance on how to self-assess for competency, as well as for bias, that, in relation to a particular referral, may preclude a competent assessment. Included are an explanation of how contemporary challenges in policing may shape the criterion standard for assessing psychological suitability and fitness and a brief summary of six interdisciplinary professional practice standards and guidelines documents—from the United States and Canada—that are especially pertinent to evaluations of police suitability and fitness.

Evaluations of Police Suitability and Fitness for Duty

Corey and Zelig, both experienced and highly regarded police and forensic psychologists, have written a comprehensive overview of the two most common psychological evaluations conducted by police psychologists: evaluations of the psychological suitability of police candidates and the psychological fitness of incumbent police officers. Filling a gap in the practice literature, this is the first text to explain the legal, procedural, ethical, and clinical foundations for these evaluations untethered to any single assessment instrument. The three foundational chapters provide readers with a review of the most prominent federal laws and regulations, professional practice guidelines, and ethical standards pertinent to these evaluations. The four applied chapters provide detailed procedural guidance, including advice for obtaining informed consent, providing disclosure to the involved parties, conducting clinical and collateral interviews, selecting written assessment instruments, integrating the assessment findings to reach determinations of suitability and fitness, and preparing written reports and testimony that anticipate their various audiences and uses. Throughout the text, Corey and Zelig distinguish between enforceable, standards-based requirements and aspirational best practices. Steeped in case law, personal anecdotes, and advice on best practices, and certain to become a valued primer in the field, Corey and Zelig’s Evaluations of Police Suitability and Fitness for Duty is written with a clarity and depth that will appeal to experienced and novice psychologists alike, as well as to police and human resource administrators whose work involves the review or oversight of these evaluations.

Examining the Validity of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire in the Assessment of Police Candidates

A well-validated test of normal personality functioning is necessary in preemployment evaluations of candidates for public safety positions. In this study, we evaluated the construct validity and predictive validity of one such measure, the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ), in a large sample of candidates for law enforcement positions. We examined associations between MPQ scale scores and biographical data, clinician suitability ratings on the 10 established California Commission on Peace Officer and Standards and Training (POST) psychological screening dimensions, and (for a subsample) posthire performance outcome data. MPQ scores generally demonstrated a conceptually expected pattern of associations with criterion variables, supporting their construct validity. Scores related to negative emotionality were particularly salient predictors of a range of POST-10 suitability ratings. Scales assessing aspects of positive emotionality, impulsivity, as well as absorption, emerged as the best predictors of posthire performance problems.

Using the MMPI-2-RF in Preemployment Evaluations of Police Officer Candidates

The MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is the current, most up-to-date version of the most widely used self-report measure of personality and psychopathology. Prior versions of the test were studied and used extensively in police candidate assessments. This chapter reviews the legal and empirical foundations for using the MMPI-2-RF in preemployment evaluations of police officer candidates and provides practical guidance for doing so. A detailed review of a series of recent studies on using the MMPI-2-RF in identification of high risk candidates is presented, followed by practical suggestions for integrating MMPI-2-RF findings with other sources of information when conducting preemployment evaluations of police candidates. The MMPI-2-RF Police Candidate Interpretive Report is highlighted.

Using the MMPI-2-RF in Preemployment Evaluations of Police Officer Candidates

The MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is the current, most up-to-date version of the most widely used self-report measure of personality and psychopathology. Prior versions of the test were studied and used extensively in police candidate assessments. This chapter reviews the legal and empirical foundations for using the MMPI-2-RF in preemployment evaluations of police officer candidates and provides practical guidance for doing so. A detailed review of a series of recent studies on using the MMPI-2-RF in identification of high risk candidates is presented, followed by practical suggestions for integrating MMPI-2-RF findings with other sources of information when conducting preemployment evaluations of police candidates. The MMPI-2-RF Police Candidate Interpretive Report is highlighted.

Relations Between Psychological Characteristics and Physical Abilities in a Sample of Female Police Candidates

The purpose of this research was to examine possible relations between basic personality traits and cognitive abilities and basic physical functions in a sample of female candidates studying at Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies (ACPS) in Belgrade. Literature review has shown that this problem has not been sufficiently studied, so it would benefit to gain a deeper insight into understanding of psychophysical functioning. Further contribution would include a better understanding of the nature of mind-body influence. In pragmatic sense, this work should help improve professional orientation and selection tasks in Police education and different profiles of police forces in Serbia. Samples of 267 female candidates studying at ACPS, aged 18 to 19 were given different personality and cognitive tests. Basic motoric space was covered by seven representative tests. The data was subjected to correlational analysis. There were few small statistically significant correlation coefficients. Further analysis by canonical correlations analysis has not given statistically significant canonical correlations. There were most significant correlations between contraction and stretching test and psychological characteristics. Those findings lead authors to conclude that this very physical trait in a sample of women is sensitive to psychological influence in case of professional selection.