Using personality traits to predict police officer performance

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Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management

Online from: 1997

Subject Area: Industry and Public Sector Management

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Document Information:
Title:	Using personality traits to predict police officer performance
Author(s):	Beth A. Sanders, (Thomas More College, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Crestview Hills, Kentucky, USA)
Citation:	Beth A. Sanders, (2008) "Using personality traits to predict police officer performance", Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Vol. 31 Iss: 1, pp.129 - 147
Keywords:	Human resource management, Performance management, Personality, Police, Selection
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/13639510810852611 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of personality traits, namely the Big Five, as a means of selection in good police officers. Design/methodology/approach – The current study examines a sample of 96 police officers from eight non-urban police departments. Findings – Age and attitude were found to be better predictors of job performance measures than were personality traits. A cynical work attitude was negatively related to ratings of job performance. Officer age was found to have a non-linear relationship to job performance. Research limitations/implications – Difficulties in measuring police performance are discussed, as is the relative importance of individual officer personality versus organizational culture. Originality/value – The study extends the research on police officer selection and issues of job performance and measurement.