Predicting police aggression with the Psychopathic Deviant Scale on the MMPI-2
Police brutality is a concern within our society, costing cities and municipalities millions of dollars in lawsuits. This study investigated police aggression by measuring aggressive behaviors and using the Psychopathic Deviant (Pd) scale on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). The Pd scale on the MMPI-2 was used for its ability to predict aggressive behaviors over the first 5 years of a police officer's career. Pd scores from the preemployment MMPI-2 and Pd scores reported after 5 years of service were compared with aggressive behaviors identified through number of citizen complaints and departmental policy infractions (determined from departmental records). Eleven officers from 7 different departments ultimately provided data at both 1999 and 2004 time points. Results suggested no differences on Psychopathic Deviant scale scores measured in 1999 and 5 years later; additionally, baseline Pd scale scores, were not significantly related to aggressive behaviors. Pd change scores (difference in Psychopathic Deviant scale scores between 1999 and 2004), although weak due to low participant numbers, were related to aggressive behaviors. This relationship suggests that as changes in Pd scale scores increase over time, aggressive behaviors may also increase. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to confirm these findings. This study, and others that might follow, are needed to assist police departments in developing ways to minimize police officer aggression and build strong relationships between law enforcement officials and the communities they serve. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)
https://www.upress.umn.edu/test-division/bibliography/2000-2009/2006/campion_predicting_2006
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Thomas R Campion
(2006)
Predicting police aggression with the Psychopathic Deviant Scale on the MMPI-2
PhD thesis.