Prediction of Law Enforcement Training Performance and Dysfunctional Job Performance With General Mental Ability, Personality, and Life History Variables

Abstract

Two studies were conducted on personnel in the field of law enforcement. Study 1 examined the predictability of law enforcement candidates who failed to complete either academy or field training versus a matched-case control sample who passed training. Study 2 examined the predictability of lawenforcement officers who were formally disciplined for inappropriate behavior on the job versus a matched-case control sample who were not disciplined. General mental ability, personality, and life history variables served as the predictors of these criteria. The predictive accuracy of a specially constructed life history veracity index (an internal validity scale) was also examined. The results revealed that both criteria were predictable, but with differential accuracy across the predictor types. These findings are discussed in the context of recent research on the selection of law enforcement personnel, the major constructs assessed in the study, and issues associated with longitudinal validational research.