Theorists have studied the different psychological characteristics of human psychology for years, identifying different aspects that are best suited for particular types of work. Psychology professionals are tasked with working to identify these different characteristics, allowing for the identification and determination regarding whether or not a particular individual is best suited for a certain type of work. In reviewing several different studies, it will be possible to gain a better understanding of some of the different characteristics associated with successful and unsuccessful police officers.
Sanders (2007) determined that the age and the attitude of the candidate were the best determining measurements of whether or not an individual would make a good police officer, and that these factors played more heavily on that determination than personality traits. McGrath & Guller (2008), on the other hand, determined that psychological testing offered a good predictor as to whether or not the individual in question would make a good police officer. These researchers identified seriousness, a level of social adjustment, and motivation as all positive psychological characteristics that would cause the candidate to be considered more likely to be a successful officer, with personality problems, depression, bias, impulsivity, distrust, aggression, and others as those traits that would cause an individual to be more likely to be labeled as an unsuccessful officer (McGrath & Guller, 2008). The research of Sarchione, et al. (1998) was more in line with McGrath and Guller’s (2008) research, indicating that individuals with dysfunctional behaviors and negative personality traits were less likely to be successful police officers. Drew, Carless, & Thompson (2008) indicated that conscientiousness, emotional stability, gender, and extraversion were the characteristics that would serve to make an individual more likely to be a successful officer.
Through a review of the different psychological factors associated with successful vs. unsuccessful police work, it is possible to see certain base continuities. Those who have positive characteristics geared toward positions of leadership are more likely to be successful officers, while those who are more negative, are power hungry, or are power abusive are less likely to make successful officers. While Sanders (2007) indicated that age and attitude were more important than personality traits, it may be seen that personality traits are equally important in determining the success of an officer.
- Drew, J., Carless, S., & Thompson, B. (2008). Predicting turnover of police officers using the sixteen personality factor questionnaire. Journal Of Criminal Justice, 36(4), 326-331. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2008.06.003
- McGrath, R., & Guller, M. (2008). Concurrent validity of the Candidate and Officer Personnel Survey (COPS). International Journal Of Police Science & Management, 11(2), 150-159. doi:10.1350/ijps.2009.11.2.119
- Sanders, B. (2007). Using personality traits to predict police officer performance. Policing: An International Journal Of Police Strategies & Management, 31(1), 129-147. doi:10.1108/13639510810852611
- Sarchione, C., Cuttler, M., Muchinsky, P., & Nelson-Gray, R. (1998). Prediction of dysfunctional job behaviors among law enforcement officers. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 83(6), 904-912. doi:10.1037//0021-9010.83.6.904
