Law Enforcement Job Suitability Evaluations: How Military Service Influences Psychological Testing and Suitability
Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Laura Meyer
Second Advisor
Artur Poczwardowski
Third Advisor
Jamie Brower
Keywords
Law enforcement, California psychological inventory, Selection, Job suitability, Pre-employment post-offer psychological evaluation
Abstract
This study examined group differences in response to the California Psychological Inventory – 434 Police and Public Safety Score report (CPI-PPSSR) using a public safety candidate sample. Even though a significant portion of public safety applicants are military veterans, few studies have investigated psychological suitability ratings of this population specifically. Furthering previous research on the CPI-PPSSR, the purpose of this study was to identify key differences in personality traits between civilian and military veteran applicants. Archival data from pre-employment post-offer job suitability evaluations were used. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to explore differences between three applicant groups: civilians, military veterans, and military veterans with a history of disciplinary action during their military service. Personality traits known to be predictive of future job behavior in police work, as assessed by the CPI-PPSSR, were used. There were no statistically significant differences between group membership on the variables assessed in this study. This study clarifies that disciplinary action in military settings do not result in unique personality presentations as measured by the CPI-PPSSR. Additionally, it offers novel considerations for psychologists evaluating military veteran law enforcement police applicants.
Publication Statement
Copyright held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Extent
35 pgs
Recommended Citation
Bannar, Ethan, "Law Enforcement Job Suitability Evaluations: How Military Service Influences Psychological Testing and Suitability" (2021). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 412.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/412