NCJ Number
107219
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 10-17
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed personality characteristics of police applicants as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to compare them with the normal population, to investigate within-group differences associated with sex and age, and to investigate differences among applicants to small-town, medium-town, and large city forces.
Abstract
Data were gathered from 1981 through 1985 on 257 police applicants from a southwestern State. Of this group, 92.2 percent were male and the mean age was 30. These applicants were also compared to members of three related professions: recently hired private company security guards, newly assigned U.S. Navy nuclear submariners, and U.S. Air Force trainees. Except for these occupational groups, the comparisons reported in the study used Mayo clinic adult norms. Both male and female police applicants could be characterized as somewhat more psychologically healthy than the normative population, as they were generally less depressed and anxious, more assertive, and interested in making and maintaining social contacts. Police applicants were a more homogeneous group than the normative population. Female applicants were likely to be more assertive, nonconforming, and energetic than male applicants. Older applicants tended to be less satisfied, have more physical complaints, to be more likely to develop physical symptoms in response to stress, and be more conservative than their younger counterparts. Police applicants were most like nuclear submariners, particularly in their degree of conformance, trust of others, and energy. Tables and 11 references.