Applicants' Fraud in Law Enforcement

Abstract

Applicants' fraud in the form of “self-inflation” bias discriminates against the “honest” applicant who does not engage in a deceptive self-presentation. The MMPI dissimulation index is one measure of “self-inflation” or “faking-good,” which, in this study, was used to assess whether the index differentiated police applicants on the basis of disciplinary suspension days. A statistically significant relationship was observed. A 16-point T-score difference (K < F) was the point of maximum predictive efficiency. Applicants who scored 16 or more points higher on Scale K than on Scale F were statistically more likely to have problematic police careers. Replication of the finding is warranted to evaluate the usefulness of F minus K as an employment screen in police settings. Threats to replication were discussed.