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Potential externalizing tendencies have long been a focus of research in police candidates. Early studies often reported positive correlations between Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) externalizing scales and problem behaviors in law enforcement officers. However, more recent investigations reveal mixed findings, with some showing either no significant correlations between externalizing measures and police performance problems or negative associations. In the current study, we examined associations between MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) externalizing scale scores and personal history information (biodata) in a large sample (n = 1,226) of police officer candidates and observed expected positive correlations between them. Next, we examined associations between MMPI-2-RF externalizing scale scores and biodata and posthire performance measures in a subset of officers who were judged to be psychologically qualified, were subsequently hired, and for whom posthire performance records were available. We hypothesized that recently observed negative correlations would be replicated, and that this could be attributed to overcontrolled behavior, as reflected in low externalizing scale scores. Our findings were consistent with expectations. Finally, we found that, by and large, MMPI-2-RF scores and biodata augmented one another in the prediction of poor performance outcomes due to overcontrolled behavior among hired police officer recruits. Implications for considering overcontrolled behavior as a potential risk factor when evaluating police officer candidates are discussed.
Public Significance Statement
Previous research has shown that high levels of disinhibited, acting-out behavior in police officer candidates (as measured both by self-reported history and MMPI/MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF externalizing scales) are associated with counterproductive behavior as a police officer. Findings from the current study show that externalizing tendencies are problematic at both high and low levels, such that police candidates who exhibit overcontrolled, inhibited behavior (as measured both by self-reported history and low scores on Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction [BXD], Restructured Clinical scale Antisocial Behavior [RC4], and Disconstraint [DISC-r]) are also at increased risk for exhibiting performance problems during training.