Efficacy of the Matrix-Predictive Uniform Law Enforcement Selection Evaluation validity scales to detect random response

The psychological aspect of selecting police officers has evolved from simply ruling out those with mental disorders to predicting how they will perform in the uniquely demanding career of law enforcement. Since the implementation of psychological testing for police officer applicants, researchers found that a more accurate measure of predicted police officer job performance needed to be developed. The Matrix-Predictive Uniform Law Enforcement Selection Evaluation (M-PULSE) was developed to answer this call. The M-PULSE is a self-report tool that measures for 18 liability issues related to the job performance of a law enforcement officer. Since self-report measures need to be screened for response styles, two validity scales were developed for the M-PULSE; Test Attitude and Impression Management scales. Although these scales were not developed to detect random response, this study aims to determine if they can and, if so, to what extent. A correlative design was implemented by comparing the mean scores of the normative sample with the mean scores of randomly generated scores for both validity scales. The participants for the normative sample consisted of 2809 police officer applicants. The comparative group was comprised of 500 randomly generated M-PULSE protocols.;The randomly generated protocols did not have statistically higher mean scores (M=47.77) than the normative sample on the Impression Management scale (M=50.55). However, the randomly generated protocols did have statistically higher mean scores (M=94.78) than the normative sample on the Test Attitude scale (M=50.11). The Test Attitude scale is able to statistically discriminate between police applicants who are not answering carelessly and the randomly generated protocols. The Impression Management scale is not able to detect random response. The Test Attitude scale can now be used in detecting random response styles as well as for its intended use of how the test-taker feels about taking the test.;The M-PULSE is a new tool that will assist police psychologists in determining which candidates are likely to engage in undesirable behaviors. Coupled with other personality assessments and a clinical interview, the M-PULSE allows police psychologists to reassure law enforcement administrators that their recommendations will benefit the department and the community they serve.