Police Selection, Training & Patrol Strategies – Key Concepts and Case Studies 1 of 6 2026-03-26
Police Selection, Training &
Patrol Strategies – Key
Concepts and Case Studies
Page 1 of 6Guidehttps://www.stuvia.com/dashboard!@_)#*)(@$)($@*($@)($@*_ 1 Police Selection, Training & Patrol Strategies – Key Concepts and Case Studies.pdf
, Police Selection, Training, and Patrol Strategies_ Key Concepts and Studies 2 of 6 2026-03-26
Hurdle process A number of different types of tests that can take up to 3 months to finish in
order to determine if a recruit is the right fit for policing.
Psychological screening A written psychological test that measures stability and suitability.
Personal interview Used by 99% of all police agencies as part of the selection process to assess the
candidate's appearance, communication, reasoning, character, and
dependability.
Skolnick's police personality Consisted of two variables, danger and authority, where police develop a
perceptual shorthand to identify certain kinds of people as symbolic assailants.
Danger An important variable in Skolnick's belief, a constant feature of police work
where officers are constantly facing potential violence.
POST Peace officers standards and training commission, aka the police academy, that
establishes minimum selection standards with state standardization.
Wilson's policing styles Includes Service, Watchman, and Legalistic styles, varying in discretion and
approach to law enforcement.
Page 2 of 6 2 Police Selection, Training, and Patrol Strategies_ Key Concepts and Studies.pdf
Police Selection, Training &
Patrol Strategies – Key
Concepts and Case Studies
Page 1 of 6Guidehttps://www.stuvia.com/dashboard!@_)#*)(@$)($@*($@)($@*_ 1 Police Selection, Training & Patrol Strategies – Key Concepts and Case Studies.pdf
, Police Selection, Training, and Patrol Strategies_ Key Concepts and Studies 2 of 6 2026-03-26
Hurdle process A number of different types of tests that can take up to 3 months to finish in
order to determine if a recruit is the right fit for policing.
Psychological screening A written psychological test that measures stability and suitability.
Personal interview Used by 99% of all police agencies as part of the selection process to assess the
candidate's appearance, communication, reasoning, character, and
dependability.
Skolnick's police personality Consisted of two variables, danger and authority, where police develop a
perceptual shorthand to identify certain kinds of people as symbolic assailants.
Danger An important variable in Skolnick's belief, a constant feature of police work
where officers are constantly facing potential violence.
POST Peace officers standards and training commission, aka the police academy, that
establishes minimum selection standards with state standardization.
Wilson's policing styles Includes Service, Watchman, and Legalistic styles, varying in discretion and
approach to law enforcement.
Page 2 of 6 2 Police Selection, Training, and Patrol Strategies_ Key Concepts and Studies.pdf
