New Study: Police Officers With Past Jobs More Likely to Face Misconduct

Police officers with previous jobs are twice as likely to face misconduct claims compared to new officers, according to a new study.
By Newsroom | Law Enforcement, Public Safety |

A sweeping study of over 6,000 law enforcement officers across the United States reveals a stark correlation between pre-employment warning signs and subsequent professional misconduct. The research, which tracked officers for up to five years across more than 150 agencies, indicates that a significant number of misconduct incidents could be anticipated and potentially averted through more rigorous hiring practices. Crucially, the findings challenge the common preference for candidates with prior law enforcement experience, showing they are nearly twice as likely to face misconduct lawsuits compared to those new to the field.

Hiring History as a Predictor

The analysis, encompassing data from municipal, county, state, and federal agencies, pinpoints several key indicators that strongly predict future misconduct. Officers with a history of professional discipline – including written reprimands, suspensions, or terminations – were found to be over six times more likely to be fired from their new positions. Within five years of being hired, one in five officers in the study had at least one report of professional misconduct filed against them.

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Police misconduct is often traceable to warning signs before hire: Study recommends national hiring standards - 1

Further scrutiny of pre-hire backgrounds identified specific "red flags" that significantly increase the likelihood of misconduct. These include a documented history of professional misbehavior, frequent job changes, poor credit, incidents of domestic violence, and temperamental issues. The study’s authors suggest that a failure to adequately screen for these factors may contribute to a cycle of misconduct and a erosion of public trust in law enforcement.

Reconsidering Experience

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, specifically advises against giving strong preference to candidates with previous law enforcement roles. This group, contrary to expectation, exhibited a higher propensity for misconduct when compared to officers entering the profession for the first time. This finding suggests that experience alone does not guarantee good conduct and may, in some instances, entrench existing problematic behaviors.

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The research is being put forth as evidence for the urgent need to establish national hiring standards for police officers. Such standards could standardize the vetting process, ensuring that departments across the country are more consistent in identifying and addressing potential issues before individuals are placed in positions of authority.

Methodology and Scope

The investigation drew upon the pre-hire data and subsequent disciplinary records of 6,075 officers. These individuals were employed by over 150 diverse law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, spanning various levels of government. The tracking period extended up to five years post-hire, providing a substantial dataset for analyzing long-term behavioral patterns. The work was led by researchers including Stephan Dilchert, PhD, who may be contacted at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the new study find about police officers with previous job experience?
A study of over 6,000 US police officers found that those with prior law enforcement experience are almost twice as likely to face misconduct lawsuits compared to officers new to the field.
Q: What are the main 'red flags' found in police hiring that predict future misconduct?
The study identified 'red flags' like a history of job changes, poor credit, domestic violence incidents, and temper issues as strong predictors of future misconduct in police officers.
Q: How many officers were studied and for how long?
The study looked at 6,075 police officers from over 150 agencies across the United States and tracked them for up to five years after they were hired.
Q: What does the study suggest about hiring new police officers?
The research suggests that departments should be more careful when hiring officers with previous law enforcement experience and pay close attention to pre-employment 'red flags' for all candidates.
Q: Why is this study important for public trust in police?
The findings highlight that better hiring practices could prevent misconduct, which helps build public trust. The study calls for national hiring standards to make the vetting process more consistent.