How do I assess an official's appearance, composure and attitude?

The supervisor's handbook groups these under personal characteristics.

Appearance and presence: does the official look like an athlete, show positive body language, and have presence on stoppages (physical and verbal)? Other factors: grooming, appropriate dress on arrival at the rink, good equipment, enthusiasm, and authority and confidence in decisions made. Overall physical conditioning and posture also count.

Composure and maturity: as game intensity rises, does the official stay cool, calm and consistent, or show inconsistent decisions or loss of composure? In a one-sided game, does the official keep hustling, or coast, turn lenient toward the losing team or lose interest? With younger, inexperienced players the official should be friendly and helpful yet firm. As players become more experienced, the official should limit discussions with players and deal with the captains and alternate captains.

Attitude: enthusiasm and professionalism, decisions that are firm and decisive but not arrogant, approachability, fairness, firmness with politeness, confidence, dedication and consistency. The handbook also asks whether the official is open to feedback in the post-game supervision discussion.

Source: Hockey Canada supervisor's handbook (Canadian Hockey Association, revised June 2001), Guidelines for Assessing Personal Characteristics.