Predictive validity of the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire in the pre-employment selection of police officers

The predictive validity of the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire for 184 officers in the Cobb and DeKalb County Police Departments who completed psychological evaluations in 1997 was examined. An archival, longitudinal design was employed whereby previous scores from the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire administered during screenings were obtained along with current employment status. Applicants were similar to each other on all personality factors except Factor B (Intelligence) (p = .031), Factor O (Insecurity) (p = .004), and Factor Q3 (Self-discipline) (p = .022). Personality factors for individuals employed/non-employed were significant only on Factor B (Intelligence) (p = .000). Psychological healthiness rating was significant between employed/non-employed individuals only in DeKalb County (p = .022). Other factors (i.e. motivation) may contribute more to individuals remaining employed than personality characteristics.