Most people would prefer their police officers to be capable of making decisions and taking action, especially in tense situations where swift choices are necessary. They would also like their officers to be ethical, with a strong moral compass, so that they do not engage in misconduct for any reason. These ethics must also be aligned with the law, which provides a framework for the police’s existence and operation and lets people know what to expect from the police. Communication skills are another essential characteristic, as it is preferred for the police to resolve interactions with as little violence as possible. Officers will frequently find themselves in antagonistic situations, which they need to be able to resolve with minimal harm to all parties involved. To that end, they also need humility and the ability to control themselves so that they do not abuse the power given to them.
To evaluate officer candidates for these characteristics, psychologists perform extensive screenings before the individual is hired. Per Dorian (2016), they perform at least two validated tests (one for normal personality and another for psychopathy), conduct a face-to-face interview, and review the applicant’s history for any problematic signs. The tests help outline the overall mentality of the person while also screening them for factors that may not necessarily have shown themselves in prior interviews. With that said, standardized tools are prone to error due to their impersonal nature, and the interview helps the psychologists confirm or deny their expectations based on the test. Lastly, a review of the person’s history, especially when discussed during the interview, helps identify any discrepancies that may be indicative of underlying mental concerns.
Reference
Dorian, E. H. (2016). Police psychology and its growing impact on modern law enforcement. IGI Global.