Law Enforcement Officer Seniority and PAI Variables in Psychological Fitness for Duty Examinations

• NCJ Number: 208888
• Journal: Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2004 Pages: 49-52
• Author(s): Beth A. Caillouet; Cary D. Rostow; Robert D. Davis
• Editor(s): William U. Weiss
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the use of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in Fitness for Duty Evaluations with police officers in relation to officer seniority.

Abstract

Fitness for Duty Examination (FFDE) is defined as a specialized inquiry conducted by a specifically qualified mental health professional in response to complaints of an officer’s reported inability to perform official duties in a safe and effective manner due to impaired behavior. The FFDE usually consists of a battery of psychological tests. This study examined 62 officers who had completed the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) as part of the FFDE between 1998 and 2003. The purpose of the study was as an initial inquiry into the use of the PAI in FFDE's. It was hypothesized that the greater the length of time an officer spends working in law enforcement, the greater the evaluation on PAI scales for the anxiety and depression related indices. Findings suggest that specific PAI scale and subscale findings may be expected in officers as a function both of time in the current job and of overall time as a law enforcement officer. References