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What is the main purpose of psychological screening of police candidates?

To identify psychologically fit candidates and screen out unsuitable ones.

Which psychological qualities are desirable in police candidates? (Hint

think temperament)

What three methods do psychologists use to evaluate police candidates?

Interviews, situational tests/observations, and psychological tests.

What is a major weakness of unstructured police interviews?

They can have distortion, low reliability, and questionable validity.

What type of interview increases reliability in police screening?

A structured interview with standardized wording, order, and content.

What are situational tests designed to predict?

Performance in police academy training and on the job.

Why have many traditional situational tests fallen out of favor?

They are time-consuming and expensive.

What two broad types of psychological tests are common in police selection?

Cognitive/intellectual ability tests and personality/integrity/emotional-stability tests.

What is the relationship between intelligence scores and police performance?

They correlate fairly strongly with training performance but weakly with field performance.

Which personality test is most often used in police screening?

The MMPI-2-RF, the 2008 revision of the MMPI.

Which personality test was specifically developed for law-enforcement screening?

The Inwald Personality Inventory.

What is notable about the Inwald Personality Inventory?

It can predict poor job performance better than traditional personality tests.

Why is predictive validity of police screening difficult to study?

Following actual job performance is time-consuming and expensive.

What problem can occur when police candidates complete psychological tests?

They may try to "fake good" by presenting themselves unrealistically positively.

When can a fitness-for-duty evaluation be ordered?

After a life-threatening incident or signs that an officer may be psychologically impaired.

What is the purpose of a fitness-for-duty evaluation?

To determine whether an officer remains psychologically fit to perform duties.

Why might the evaluator and treating psychologist be different people?

It avoids conflict between treatment confidentiality and reporting to supervisors.

How long does police academy training typically last?

About 14–24 weeks, usually 40 hours per week.

What are two common criticisms of police training programs?

Graduation may be too easy, and field training/supervision may be insufficient.

Which crisis situations commonly require police intervention?

Mental illness incidents, family disturbances, and hostage situations.

What effect did deinstitutionalization have on police work?

Police increasingly encounter and supervise people with mental illness.

According to Teplin (1984), how does mental illness affect arrest probability?

Mental illness increases rather than decreases the probability of arrest.

What is a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)?

A trained police team equipped to respond appropriately to people with mental illness.

The CIT model is based on which well-known approach?

The Memphis Model.

What effect can specialized mental-health training have on police?

It can improve crisis intervention and reduce arrests.

What percentage of male jail inmates were estimated to have severe mental illness?

About 14.5%.

What percentage of female jail inmates were estimated to have severe mental illness?

About 31%.

What percentage of state prisoners were cited as having mental health problems?

About 56%.

What percentage of federal inmates were cited as having mental health problems?

About 45%.

What percentage of jail inmates were cited as having mental health problems?

About 64%.

What is one alternative to incarceration for people with severe mental illness?

Jail diversion or community-based services.

Why are domestic disturbances especially dangerous for police?

Family disturbances are among the most dangerous police activities.

What percentage of violent offenses were said to involve family members, neighbors, or known persons?

About 61%.

Which is NOT a valid belief about family violence? (Hint

think common myths)

What did the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment find about arrest?

Arrest reduced subsequent offending by almost 50% compared with two nonarrest options.

What is Stockholm Syndrome?

A psychological bond or mutual dependency that can develop between hostages and kidnappers.

What is an important strategy used by successful hostage negotiators?

Maintain nonthreatening communication and reduce the hostage taker's fear and tension.

What are the three major areas of police work?

Enforcing laws, maintaining order, and providing services.

Which major police duty accounts for most police activity?

Providing services.

About what percentage of police activity involves enforcing the law?

About 10%.

About what percentage of police activity involves maintaining order?

About 30%.

What is zero-tolerance policing?

Focusing police enforcement on all lawbreaking, including relatively minor offenses.

What is one negative consequence associated with zero-tolerance policing?

Increased citizen complaints and lawsuits against police.

What are three common types of stress experienced by police?

Physical/psychological threats, evaluation systems, and organizational problems/lack of support.

What is police burnout?

Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.

What problems have been considered occupational hazards of police work?

Substance abuse, domestic battering, and divorce.

Why may police officers avoid counseling?

They may fear losing respect from fellow officers or appearing weak.

What is one advantage of an outside police psychologist?

An outside psychologist may better protect client confidentiality.

What is community-based policing?

A proactive, problem-solving approach involving collaboration between police and local citizens.

What is one major benefit associated with community policing?

Lower fear of crime, stronger community attachment, and improved attitudes toward police.