Abstract
Law enforcement (LE) agencies attempt to select applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) deemed necessary to execute the important tasks of policing (Gowan & Gatewood, 1995). Along with attempting to "select in" those with the necessary KSAs, hiring agencies also focus on screening out applicants deemed to lack psychological fitness. Generally, LE agencies judge applicants psychologically fit if they demonstrate good coping skills and do not evidence psychopathology (Beutler, Nussbaum, & Meredith, 1988; Scogin, Schumacher, Gardner, & Chaplin, 1995). Specific desired outcomes of selection include reducing costly turnover (Janik, 1994; Lefkowitz, 1977; Meier, Farmer, & Maxwell, 1987), promoting organizational effectiveness/citizenship behavior (Borman & Motowidlo, 1993; Smith, Organ, & Near, 1983; Topp & Kardash, 1986), and reducing incidents of police misconduct or use of excessive force (Bolton, 1995; Scrivner, 1994; Skogan, 1996).
Files
Files are restricted to Pacific University. Sign in to view.