The article discusses the results of a comparative study of intensity of personality traits that limit the professional and psychological fitness of internal affairs officers and determine the prognosis factors for one's individual development in this field. Within the scope of the study we compared the applicants' parameters of motivational profile, emotional and volitional self-control, personality characteristics as well as their mental faculties. As a result, certain reliably significant traits have been found which limit one's possibilities for effective professional performance. The results obtained in the comparative and factor analysis made it possible to establish a combination of determining factors that limit one's professional and psychological fitness. A factor structure of limiting traits has been revealed, making up more than 60 per cent of total variance. It is represented by low self-control, poor mental faculties, addictive behavior, poorly developed feeling of justice, passive personality orientation, anxiety-depressive disorders and social immaturity of personality.