Risks associated with overcontrolled behavior in police officer recruits

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Law enforcement psychology
• Personnel selection

Background:

• Externalizing tendencies in police candidates have historically been linked to behavioral issues.
• Recent research shows mixed correlations between externalizing measures and police performance problems.
• Overcontrolled behavior has emerged as a potential factor influencing police performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between MMPI-2-RF externalizing scale scores and biodata in police candidates.
• To investigate the relationship between MMPI-2-RF externalizing scores, biodata, and posthire performance in police officers.
• To explore the predictive utility of overcontrolled behavior in police officer selection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) externalizing scales.
• Analyzed personal history information (biodata) from a large sample of police officer candidates (n=1,226).
• Assessed posthire performance measures in a subset of hired police officers.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations were observed between MMPI-2-RF externalizing scores and biodata in candidates.
• Negative correlations were found between MMPI-2-RF externalizing scores and posthire performance problems in hired officers.
• MMPI-2-RF scores and biodata together predicted poor performance outcomes related to overcontrolled behavior.

Conclusions:

• Low externalizing scores on the MMPI-2-RF are indicative of overcontrolled behavior, a risk factor for police performance issues.
• Integrating MMPI-2-RF externalizing scores and biodata enhances the prediction of negative performance outcomes.
• Considering overcontrolled behavior is crucial for effective police officer candidate evaluation.