APPLICANTS FRAUD IN LAW-ENFORCEMENT

Applicants' fraud in the form of ''self-inflation'' bias discriminates against the ''honest'' applicant who does not engage in a deceptive self-presentation. The MMPI dissimulation index is one measure of ''self-inflation'' or ''faking-good,'' which, in this study, was used to assess whether the index differentiated police applicants on the basis of disciplinary suspension days. A statistically significant relationship was observed. A 16-point T-score difference (K > F) was the point of maximum predictive efficiency. Applicants who scored 16 or more points higher on Scale K than on Scale F were statistically more likely to have problematic police careers, Replication of the finding is warranted to evaluate the usefulness of F minus K as an employment screen in police settings. Threats to replication were discussed.