Using personality traits to predict police officer performance

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.

Citation

Sanders, B.A. (2008), "Using personality traits to predict police officer performance", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 129-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510810852611