Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to determine if the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT), California Psychological Inventory (CPI), and Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Organization Behavior (FIRO-B) may be used to identify psychological characteristics of successful SWAT/Tactical Response Team personnel. Thirty-four caucasian male subjects ranging in age between 26 to 45 years served as subjects. Education levels ranged from high school diploma to graduate degrees. Means and standard deviations for assessment instruments are presented. In part two, supervisors rated each participant for their general effectiveness as SWAT/Tactical Response, Team personnel. The highest rated third of subjects was compared with the lowest rated third. The Newman-Keuls test was utilized to maintain the familywise error rate. Univariate ANOVA’S indicated statistically significant differences between the highest and lowest rated groups on CPI scales V2, SO and FM at the 05 level.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, S., Fraser, S. L. & Inwald, R. (1991). Assessment of Personality Characteristics Related to Successful Hostage Negotiators and Their Resistance to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In J. Reeve, J. M. Horn, & C. Dunning, (Ed),Critical Incidents in Policing Revised, pp. 1–16. Washington D. C.: U. S. Government Press.
Blau, T. H., Super, J. T., & Brady, L. (1993). The MMPI Good Cop/Bad Cop Profile in Identifying Dysfunctional Law Enforcement Personnel.Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 9(1), 2–4.
Crosby, A. (1979). The Psychological Examination in Police Selection. Journal of Police Science and Administration, 7(2), 215–229.
Getty, V.S., & Elam, J. D. (1988). Identifying characteristics of hostage negotiators, and using personality data to develop a selection model. In J. Reeve & J. Horn (Ed) Police psychology: Operational assistance, pp. 159–171. Washington D. C.: U.S. Government Press.
Gough, H. G. (1987). California Psychological Inventory Administrator’s Guide. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Hiatt, D. & Hargrave, G. E. (1988). MMPI Profiles of Problem Peace Officers. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(4), 722–731.
Hibler, N.S. (1984). Hostage situations: a consultation guide for mental health professionals. Washington D. C.: Office of Special Investigations.
Keppel, G. (1982). Design & Analysis A Researchers Handbook (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Incorporated
Psychlit (1992). Wellesley Hills, MA: Silver Platter Information Services.
Saxe, S. J., & Raiser, M. (1976). A Comparison of Three Police Applicant Groups Using The MMPI. Journal of Police Science and Administration, 4(4), 419–425.
Schutz, W. (1966). The Interpersonal, Underworld: FIRO. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books, Inc.
Shusman, E. J. & Inwald, R. (1991). A Longitudinal Validation Study of Correctional Officer Job Performance as Predicted by the IPI and MMPI. Journal of Criminal Justice, 19, 173–180.
Super, J. T., Blau, T. H. Wells, C. B. & Murdock, N. H. (1993). Using Psychological Tests To Discriminate between “Best” and “Least Best” Correctional Officers. Journal of Criminal Justice, 21(2), In Press.
Wonderlic, E. F. (1992). Wonderlic Personnel Test Manual. Northfield, IL: Wonderlic, and Associates, Inc.
Zizzo, F. (1985). Psychological Intervention and Specialized Law Enforcement Groups. Emotional First Aid: A Journal of Crisis Intervention, 2(1), 25–27.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
John T. Super, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Behavior Science Unit.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Super, J.T. Psychological characteristics of successful SWAT/Tactical Response Team personnel. JPCP 10, 60–63 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02811066
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02811066