Police Selection and Discretion

Police Selection Process

Introduction to Police Selection

The police selection process is crucial in assessing individuals who will serve as law enforcement officers. Key aspects of this process include:

• Understanding the desirable and undesirable qualities in police candidates.

• Historical perspectives on job analysis and the evolution of selection criteria.

Key Concepts of Police Selection

Desirable and Undesirable Qualities

• Undesirable Qualities:

  • Difficulty dealing with stress

  • Poor performance under pressure

• Desirable Qualities:

  • Patient

  • Unbiased

  • Level-headed

Historical Context of Job Analysis

• Simon Binet's Intelligence Test: Originally used to determine suitability for police work, a score of 80 or below was seen as unfavorable.

• Current Selection Criteria: Emphasis on higher education and multiple assessments has changed over time, reflecting evolving societal values (e.g., movements like Black Lives Matter).

KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• KSAs are subject to change based on social environments and who holds power.

• There is notable disagreement on which KSAs are most important in policing.

  • Some prioritize traits like authoritarianism, while others emphasize empathy.

Types of Interviews

Semi-Structured Interviews

• Allows for flexibility and probing questions tailored to candidates.

• Increased risk of bias compared to structured interviews that maintain consistency across applicants.

Structured Interviews

• Feature predefined questions that all applicants must answer, ensuring standardization but possibly missing nuanced responses.

Psychological Testing in Police Selection

Test Types

1. Cognitive Ability Tests: Measure general intelligence and predict training success.

2. Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI): Focuses on personality traits.

3. Assessment Centres: Simulated scenarios predicting real-world police performance.

Validity of Psychological Tests

• Contingent on how realistically they reflect potential behaviors in the field.

• Questions may not account for biases but can assess cognitive abilities effectively, although they cannot fully encompass an individual's personality traits.

Issues with Interviews

• Candidates may prepare for interviews by accessing common questions online, reducing authenticity.

• Cognitive tests are timed with practice tests available (similar to LSAT or MCAT formats).

The Role of Police Discretion

Understanding Police Discretion

• Police discretion varies significantly based on the nature of the offense. For example:

  • Serious offenses (e.g., violent crimes): Lower use of discretion.

  • Minor offenses (e.g., littering, jaywalking): Greater discretion may be applied.

Concerns About Police Discretion

• Discretion can lead to potential abuse, prompting public demands for body cameras.

• Officers argue that body cameras misinterpret the context of their decisions.

• Discretion also presents both advantages and disadvantages in law enforcement activities.

Specific Issues Concerning Discretion

• Carding: Illegal practice of stopping individuals without reasonable cause to request identification.

• Youth Crime: Increasing focus on diversion programs over incarceration.

• Domestic Violence: Misuse of discretion can negatively impact victims, especially in instances where claims may be false or manipulated.

Conclusion

Understanding the complexities within the police selection process, including the evaluation of psychological characteristics and discretionary practices, is vital for establishing effective law enforcement standards. The role that society's expectations and values play in shaping these processes cannot be underestimated.