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Chapter 3: Risk Assessment and Police Psychology

A violent criminal is about to be released upon completing his sentence; the role of the forensic psychologist is critical as homicide is a tragedy that often begins with the offender's background—young offenders come from broken homes, turbulent childhoods, abuse, and street survival instincts, and execution does not address the root problem; forensic psychologists evaluate sex offenders in civil and criminal arenas focusing on psychopathology, treatment needs, and predicting re-offending; they help offenders become better by considering multiple dimensions. Offenders with low IQ require psychologists to apply psychological principles for effective treatment planning within community or imprisonment for those with low IQ, substance abuse, and mental health problems.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is a step in risk management measuring magnitude of potential loss and probability of re-occurrence; forensic psychologists assess violence risk, consult on specialized tests and actuarial instruments, and address concerns about school shootings, workplace violence, and sex offending; risk assessment distinguishes between offenders likely to re-offend and those at lower risk (Solicitor General Canada, 1998a); predictions are subject to error, affecting offender freedom and community safety; errors often result in longer imprisonment for high-risk offenders who may not re-offend. Risk assessment is important and failure to consider it may be professional negligence; it identifies offender types, special characteristics, treatment progress, and risk of future re-offending; it must consider diagnostic features of youthful sex offenders (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1999) and external factors such as weapon availability and conflict accessibility.

Police Psychology

Police psychology: objectives include understanding police–forensic psychology relationship, low IQ issues in police, and psychological tests for screening. Police psychology traces to Dr. Martin Reiser, the first full-time police psychologist (LAPD, 1968); policing is central to forensic psychology because police enforce law and face job stress; forensic psychologists help with stress reduction, shift schedules, pre-employment tests, offender profiling, dealing with mentally ill, and counseling.

Police and IQ

Terman (1917) tested many police applicants—only three scored above 100, concluding police attracted low IQ individuals; Thurstone (1922) found Detroit police of all ranks below average—patrol officers averaged 71.44, sergeants 54.71, lieutenants 57.80—suggesting many fall into mental retardation category; army recruits averaged 100; reasons include low value of high IQ in police, early socialization, home situations, socioeconomic status; high IQ individuals leave police for better professions. An exception: Maude Merrill (1927) found Palo Alto police averaged 104 and those with over 2 years' experience averaged 143 (very superior/genius), showing education is the key factor; Poland (1978) concluded education improves policing; recruiting educated officers increases intelligence levels.

US Recommendations for Police Improvement

US recommendations for police improvement: mental ability/aptitude tests, oral psychiatric interview, physical exam, psychological exam, background investigation; psychological exam must include intellectual capacity, emotional stability, and personality characteristics. Changes in US policing: 1960s—focus on street smarts (Narrol & Levitt), emotional stability not considered; 1970s—use of standardized personality inventories, 48% using MMPI; 2003—Cochrane, Tett & VandeCreek found 91% used personality measures, 71.6% MMPI, 24.5% CPI, 18.7% 16 PF, 11.6% IPI, others including PAI.

Major Psychologists and Assessments

Major psychologists: Terman (1917), Thurstone (1922), Poland (1978). Personality assessment rationale: finding people fit for duty and assessing current officers. Screening-in (searching ideal police personality) failed due to individual differences; screening-out (removing pathological personalities) is effective using tests like MMPI. MMPI: 567 items, six validity scales, ten clinical scales—Hypochondriasis, Depression, Hysteria, Psychopathic Deviate, Masculinity–Femininity, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, Hypomania, Social Introversion; limitations: screens pathology but poor predictor of police performance. IPI: 310 true/false items, 26 scales; designed for law enforcement selection; better face validity and tailored for high-risk positions. Policing has significantly improved based on psychologists' recommendations, research, interviews, and assessments, and similar progress is hoped for in Pakistan.

Key Aspects and Developments

Summary of Important Points

Aspect	Description
Offender Evaluation	Background, psychopathology, treatment for sex offenders
Risk Assessment	Measures re-offending probability, uses tests, subject to error
Police Psychology	Stress management, profiling, low IQ issues
IQ Studies	Terman, Thurstone found low averages; education key
Screening Tools	MMPI for pathology, IPI for law enforcement
Future Prospects	Improved policing through psychological assessments

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