Situational Judgement Selection Test Utility: Implications for Police Turnover

Abstract

Police agencies increasingly find attracting, recruiting, selecting, and retaining police officers challenging. Officer candidates selected can have up to a 25 percent fail rate in basic police training, while probationary officers in field training can fail to complete training with rates as high as 40 percent. Police selection batteries often include situational judgment tests (SJTs) designed to help ensure legal and proper hiring standards. The scores of SJTs, and other selection battery scores, are often filed once the hiring process is complete. This study explored the potential SJT selection battery scores may have in the prediction of field training and turnover outcomes. Results of binary logistical regression model testing suggest that reading scores, likely a proxy for cognitive ability, best predicted field training outcomes as well as overall and involuntary turnover. Additional factors with predictive nexuses to training outcomes and retention include selection battery retest, restraint sub-scores, and prior law enforcement experience. Applied recommendations include pre-field training interventions for new officers with low reading scores, expanded use of realistic job previews, and policy reviews related to selection battery retest.