Desired competences and values for police officers : how they are selected and how they develop during their early career

Police selection and socialisation have been studied internationally by numerous researchers from different angles. Generally these studies focused on either one or the other. With regards to police selection, different tests and instruments that are used in psychological and personality tests have been examined, whereas research on police socialisation has focused on (aspects of) police culture, ethical aspects and phases of police socialisation. The connection between the two consecutive phases of selection and socialisation has not been fundamentally studied. Gaining an insight into this matter is important however as both phases are essential in identifying, selecting and stimulating the development of police officers to be, in order for them to meet the professional profile that is put forward. This is why in the present PhD study, we focus on both phases. In this presentation the research design of our panel study will be presented, together with the results of a literature analysis concerning a number of desired competences and values that are included in the Belgian professional profiles for police officers. These competences and values are based on the pillars of community oriented policing. The survey will be conducted at three particular moments in the trajectory of police inspectors, chief inspectors and commissioners to be, based on the phases from the police socialisation as distinguished by John Van Maanen (1975)