Improving officer decision-making: Can personality predict outcomes in use of force decisions?

The proposed study will examine the impact of select psychological, cognitive, social and professional factors on police officers’ decisions to use force in a simulated environment. Male and female police officers and citizens will participate in the current study to provide a broader understanding of personality and its impact on decision making in stressful situations. Three police departments from the Charlotte, N.C. area will participate in the study: Waxhaw, Stallings, and Monroe. Each participant will participate in three simulated use of force scenarios. The simulated encounters will be videotaped, which will allow the researchers access to important physical cues and contextual effects. Multivariate analyses will be conducted to examine the impact of personality on decision making within stressful encounters. This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law, and complies with Part 200, Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR, 200.210 (a) (14). CA/NCF