Intelligent police selection: importance of select qualities of recruits as valued by police heads of several states and Caribbean islands

Abstract

The article compares selected police attribute importance levels chosen by police chiefs of six southern states (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas, and Texas) and five Midwestern states(Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska) and commissioners of the Caribbean Islands. Two separate areas are considered, these are preparation for the training and effective permanent careers. The preferred traits and skills (attributes) chiefs and commissioners believe lead to recruits’ success in selection, training, and long-term career in policing that are also good for the community. Intelligent selection methodologies can generally predict candidates’ success. Predictive success in training includes three general types of training: basic, in service, and specialized. These skills and trait (attributes) are helpful in determining candidates’ success during assessments and beyond. The intent of the 12 separate surveys was to determine how important chiefs thought these skills and traits (attributes) were toward success rates of recruits in training and policing. The police chiefs in Midwest and southern states and Caribbean commissioners believe these attributes expand the success rates towards long police career. This article compares importance levels of 11 attributes in 12 replicated surveys of state police chiefs’ and Caribbean Commissioners importance of preferred recruit skills and traits. police training, police skills and traits, police attributes, police selection, selection assessment, intelligent selection, predictive selection Intelligent Police Selection: Importance of Select Qualities of Recruits as Valued by Police Heads of Several States and Caribbean Islands.