The Need for a Child Protective Services Investigator Psychological Profile.

Abstract

This article explores the need for personality profiling when hiring Child Protective Services (CPS) investigators. It begins by looking at the use of profiling when hiring law enforcement officials as an analogy. The article then goes on to discuss the unique stresses of CPS work and explores the possibility that improved screening of candidates may prevent the burnout and turnover pervading this sensitive field. Ideal personality characteristics for CPS workers are identified, followed by a discussion of an emerging movement in some parts of the United States to screen prospective CPS workers more rigorously.