When a supervisor allows a single key characteristic to dictate the overall performance rating, this area of review is labeled what?

The halo effect refers to a cognitive bias where one positive characteristic of a person influences the overall assessment of their performance. In the context of police supervision, when a supervisor allows a single key characteristic—such as a specific achievement, behavior, or personality trait—to disproportionately affect the overall performance rating, this is an example of the halo effect.

This occurs because the supervisor may overlook other important aspects of the individual's performance, which could be either positive or negative. For instance, if an officer is particularly charismatic but has other areas where they are underperforming, the supervisor might rate them highly overall due to their likable personality, rather than evaluating all aspects of their performance fairly. Recognizing the halo effect is crucial in performance evaluations to ensure a more balanced and accurate assessment of an individual’s work.