Predicting Police Aggression: Comparing Traditional and Non-Traditional Prediction Models

Psychologists can help to reduce inappropriate aggressive behavior through careful screening of police officer candidates. The purpose of this study was to identify whether the IAT Reasoning Test (IAT), a measure of trait aggression, and a Monetary Delay Discounting Task (MDDT), a measure of behavioral control, could predict on-the-job police aggression better than the MMPI-2. We administered the MMPI-2, the IAT, and the MDDT to 85 police officers. Three prediction models were created using scores on the IAT and the MDDT, and scales from the MMPI-2. Model 1 included the IAT and the MDDT. Model 2 included MMPI-2 scales Hostility (HO), Overcontrolled Hostility (OH), and Anger (ANG). Model 3 included MMPI-2 scales Frequency (F), Hysteria (HY), and Psychopathic Deviate (PD). We found that Model 1 was the only predictor of supervisors?? ratings of on-the-job aggression, however, the predictive utility of this model was attributable primarily to the MDDT predictor. Based on these findings, we suggest that using measures of behavioral control during preemployment screening may help to identify potentially aggressive police officer candidates.