U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

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

Award Information

Award #
2017-R2-CX-0030
Funding Category
Competitive Discretionary
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2017
Total funding (to date)
$432,159

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $432,159)

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

Date Created: September 29, 2017