NCJ Number
225730
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 56 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 34-38
Date Published
December 2008
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the potential success of integrity testing as a selection tool for public safety candidates.
Abstract
Cognitive ability exams have been personnel selection tools for decades. Another personnel selection tool that has been largely unused is integrity testing. However, integrity testing is seen as having great potential to valid, legal, and well-suited for public safety selection. It has the potential to aid in the prediction of successful candidates. These screening tools essentially check each candidate for past behaviors, such as drug abuse, arrests, violent behaviors, and others. Integrity tests are designed to predict the same counterproductive work behaviors as screened for by psychological evaluations and polygraph examinations. With knowledge that integrity tests are predictive of important job criteria, are relatively inexpensive, provide economic benefits, and are legally benign, public safety agencies should examine whether integrity testing could benefit their departments.