Journal Published Online: 01 March 1987
Volume 32, Issue 2

Validation of Police Officer Recruit Candidates' Self-Reported Drug Use

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Three hundred and fifty-nine Chicago Police Department recruit candidates submitted urine specimens as part of a drug-screening program. Candidates were tested in two groups about a week apart. About 20% of the recruit candidates in each group evidenced drug, primarily marijuana use. As part of a psychological screening test battery all the candidates also took the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI). The IPI contains a self-report Drug Use Scale. Drug-Positive and Drug-Negative candidates' Drug Use Scale scores were matched by age, sex, and racial/ethnic group and compared to evaluate the accuracy of self-reported drug use when screening police recruit candidates. Results showed that Drug-Positive candidates' self-reported drug use was consistently higher than that of Drug-Negative candidates. Item-level analyses showed which drug use items best discriminate between Drug-Positive and Drug-Negative candidates. Implications are drawn for use of self-report as part of a police candidate screening process.

Author Information

Ostrov, E
Isaac Ray Center, Inc., Chicago, IL
Cavanaugh, JL
Section on Psychiatry and the Law, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Pages: 7
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS11151J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11151J