Socio-demographic Variables and Impulsivity Can Affect the Decision to Use Legitimate Violence Amongst French Gendarmes

Our study aimed to investigate a link between impulsivity and use of force amongst French gendarmes. We expected that higher scores on an impulsivity scale (UPPS) would lead to a higher level of coercion, both in frequency and intensity. We also sought to verify whether the French National Gendarmerie was in line with current literature regarding the influence of age, gender, seniority, and level of education on the use of force. Questionnaires were sent to members of the French National Gendarmerie via professional e-mail addresses. Responses were collected over a 1-month period. The questionnaires were accepted when the responses to an impulsivity scale (UPPS) and to a scenario had been completed. Questions on demographic data were also included. The sample consisted of 326 French gendarmes. Participants were divided into three age groups: 18–25 ( N = 43, 13.2%), 26–40 ( N = 139, 42.6%), and > 41 ( N = 144, 44.2%). Seventy-six women (23.3%) and 250 men (76.7%) responded. Most participants were career NCOs ( N = 265, 81.3%); the others were volunteer assistant gendarmes or gendarmes under contract ( N = 25, 7.67%) or commissioned officers ( N = 36, 11.0%). Only urgency and lack of premeditation seemed to have an influence on the use of force, particularly regarding younger novice officers, increasing significantly the means of coercion used. On the other hand, gender and education level had only a slight non-significant influence, whilst age and seniority significantly reduce the use of force. Older and more experienced officers used legitimate violence to a lesser extent. This study shows the strong influence of age and years of service on the use of force. These results indicate a need for more extensive initial training. For some of its subscales, impulsivity also had a direct influence on the amount and intensity of coercion used by law enforcement officers in their daily work. Therefore, courses on impulsivity control could be useful for police officers. Further research should be conducted on actual police interventions to avoid any bias related to behavioural intent.