1. Test Predictors of Serious Misconduct, Substance Abuse and/or Pervasive Performance Problems with the COPS-R, PAI and short-form IQ
Matthew Guller, J.D., Ph.D., ABPP
Institute for Forensic Psychology (201)
Presented at The Consortium of Police and Public Safety Psychologists (COPPS), St. Augustine, FL, April 27, 2018

2. Thank you to: -Julia Campregher, MA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice -Olivia Grose, BA (MA candidate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice) -Victoria Rodriguez, BA (MA candidate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice) -Amie Francaviglia, BA

3. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Fitness for Duty Evaluations
(of officers previously seen
as candidates )
Misconduct / Firing Reported
by the Department
Second Recruit Evaluation for
different position

4. MISCONDUCT / PROBLEM Alcohol Related Offense / DUI Entered Rehab 15
Total Number (n)
Percentage
Alcohol Related Offense / DUI
Entered Rehab 15
34.8%
Non-Domestic Violence (DV) Assault Alcohol Related 3
6.9%
Domestic Violence / Stalking / Harassment / Restraining Order 9
20.9%
Non-Domestic Violence (DV) Assault – Not Alcohol Related 1
2.3%
Removed / Fired for
Serious Misconduct 8
18.6%
Pervasive Performance Problem 7
16.3%

5. POSITIONS Total N = 43 Police Officer / Trooper / Deputy
Total Number (n)
Percentage
Police Officer / Trooper / Deputy
Armed Peace Officer 32
74.4%
Un-armed Peace Officer 4
9.3%
Corrections Officer
Dispatcher 2
4.6%
Firefighter 1
2.3%
Total N = 43

6. RACE GENDER Caucasian 30 69.8% Black 7 16.3% Hispanic 5 11.6% Asian 1
Total Number (n)
Percentage
Caucasian 30
69.8%
Black 7
16.3%
Hispanic 5
11.6%
Asian 1
2.3%
GENDER
Race
Total Number (n)
Percentage
Male 41
95.4%
Female 2
4.6%

7. MATCHING THE CASES….
By Gender
By Race
Within Department
If not available:
Civil Service v. Non-Civil Service
By Education Level*
By Age
Cases did not differ significantly on any of these variables

8. MORE NUMBERS……. Three Control Cases for Every Study Case
Study Cases N = 43 Control Cases = 129
PAI Study Cases = 31
IQ Measure
Wonderlic = 31
Shipley = 9
None Used = 3
Percentiles Used for Study

9. SO, how do we compare our Misconduct and Control groups?
What is the appropriate statistic to use to analyze?
A paired t-sample is good, but sample size is limited (and varied) and effect size analysis is warranted
Cohen’s d is used
d =.20 is small, .50 is medium, .80 is large

10. Examined differences on the following Variables:
Roberts’ PAI Risk Variables
PAI Clinical Scales
COPS-R Risk Scales
COPS-R Content Scales
Short Form IQ Percentiles

11. PAI Clinical Scale Variables 4/18 were significant (p < .05):
d = .20 is small, .50 is medium-sized, .80 is large
Scale d
Borderline
0.39
Suicidality
0.27
Non-support
0.30
Treatment Rejection
0.20

12. Roberts’ PAI Risk Scales 6/7 were significant (p < .05):
Variable d
Probability Being Rated Poorly Suited
0.79
Integrity
0.67
Anger Management
0.48
Alcohol Use Concerns
0.81
Illegal Drug Use
0.62
Substance Abuse Proclivity
0.75
d = .20 is small, .50 is medium-sized, .80 is large

13. COPS-R Risk Scales 2/9 were significant (p < .05):
Variable d
Rules Compliance
0.47
Acceptance of Supervision
0.50
d = .20 is small, .50 is medium-sized, .80 is large

14. COPS-R Content Scales 6/20 were significant (p < .05):
d = .20 is small, .50 is medium-sized, .80 is large
Scale d
Antisocial
0.90
Gender Bias
0.28
Impulsivity
0.85
Integrity / Dishonesty
0.47
Opinionated
0.50
Paranoid Orientation