When psychologists and policemen judge together: The recruitment of French police constables

Using interviews as an important part of the recruitment of police constables (the “gardiens de la paix” in French) leads psychologists and policemen to cooperate to select the applicants. Beyond status differences, processes of cross-appropriation of one group’s categories by the other and modes of role learning create homogeneity in expectations, individual conduct during the interview and judgements. This convergence of views and practices brings up questions about the specific contribution of psychologists in the recruitment of police officers.