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Psychological Characteristics of Successful SWAT/Tactical Response Team Personnel

NCJ Number
159171
Journal
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychological Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (1995) Pages: 60-63
Author(s)
J T Super
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study identified personality traits and characteristics that best predicted successful performance in Special Weapons and Tactical Teams (SWAT).
Abstract
Thirty-four male part-time SWAT personnel completed a battery of psychological tests including the Wonderlic Personality Test, the California Psychological Inventory, and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Organization-Behavior. The results showed that SWAT members tended to be of average intelligence, productive and task-focused, ambitious and inclined to take charge in emergency situations, and to be guided by external norms and expectations. The 10 best- and 10 worst-rated officers from this sample were then rated on their ability to take direction, judgment to address critical situations, and ability and willingness to participate in a team effort. The highest rated SWAT personnel were compared with the lowest rated 10 on their psychological test scores. 2 tables and 15 references