Author and forensic consultant Victoria Hargan reveals personality traits
and characteristics that may be responsible for the high risk of domestic
violence perpetrated by police officers. Police Personality and Domestic
Violence offers a forensic psychological approach and review of literature on
the scope of the problem when domestic violence is committed by a police
officer. Research suggests that personality traits of police officers are
similar to domestic abusers and that it is these very traits that make police
officers effective at police work. Personality characteristics such as
authoritative, aggressive, assertive, controlling and suspicious help the
officer in his duties. These same personality traits are also negative traits in
battering relationships. Domestic violence perpetrated by police officers is a
result of multifaceted dynamics, including the individual police officer’s
personality, police culture, police training, and exposure to violence on the
job, a sense of entitlement, and influence of the administration of the police
agency. These dynamics may predispose police officers to domestic violence. This
book offers suggestions for the pre-selection of police candidates, in addition
to reviewing the psychological instruments used in police selection. A must read
for forensic evaluators, the law enforcement community, and the medical and
mental health communities.
