| Abstrakt: |
Three situational tests, analogous to tests used to select O.S.S. personnel in WWII, were devised as part of an overall psychological evaluation program for Cincinnati police candidates. Tests were termed Foot Patrol Observation Test, Clues Test, and Bull Session. These tests were administered to two groups of candidates, and correlated with final rank in class after completion of Police Academy training. The Clues Test was significantly correlated with Police Academy performance, but not with an intelligence measure (AGCT), which suggested that non-intellectual traits important to police performance may be tapped with situational tests. The Bull Session, indirectly measured by its close tie with successful predictions by the evaluation team of Police Academy performance, was also judged to be an Important measure of emotional-motivational traits predictive of superior police performance in the field. The third situational task. Foot Patrol Observation Test, did not appear to be predictive of later success in training. Further validation of the situational test technique is necessary to establish its value in police candidate assessment, and a weighted activity rating of field performance of patrolmen is under study for later report. However, situational testing shows promise as a supplement to conventional paper-and-pencil procedures for police selection, if adequate reliability and validity studies can establish its usefulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
