Below, we’ve also included some of the top police interview tips to help you master this part of the police officer exam.
In other words, your answer must be tailored. You need to identify factors within your life that are directly linked to a career in law enforcement. Avoid talking about irrelevant aspects of your life – such as your favorite music band, or why you like the NFL – that have nothing to do with a career in law enforcement. Instead, identify what is relevant from what is irrelevant in a law enforcement career.
Candidates are not always asked the same questions. There are many variations of asking the same police oral board question. So, whilst you may or may not be asked this specific question, you should still understand the theory behind why the question is asked, and then how to directly answer the question as expected.
We’ve handled this question in one of our YouTube videos. Take a few minutes to learn what to include – and what not to include – in your answer.
Deadly force almost always comes up on the police officer exam. You will be presented with a case scenario. For example: you may be patrolling the inner city and find an individual on the ground, with another citizen pointing a gun at that individual. You turn the corner – how do you react to this situation?
Some police interview questions on this subject are more difficult that others. What matters is that you practice as many questions as possible. The more diverse range of questions, the easier you will find it to marry the correct approach to the case scenario. Your reaction must be proportionate, in-line with the best available evidence, and must be thoroughly reasoned throughout. Under pressure in the police test, this is not often easy. That’s why long-term preparation for the oral board is essential. identify what is relevant from what is irrelevant in a law enforcement career.
Many candidates are asked if they have ever stolen.
To answer this question to the best possible extent, you must be honest. Ultimately, that’s why the oral board panel are asking these kinds of police interview questions. If we’re all truly honest, we have all stolen at some point.
Even if it’s something small and cheap and as a kid, you should include it.
By being honest, expressing remorse, and advancing maturity, you demonstrate to the oral board panel that you are a serious candidate. Stating “I have never stolen” only shows you have something to hide or are outright lying to the panel. Never a good look.
Know the reasons, in detail, why you chose your police department.
To answer this police officer interview question to the best possible extent, you must include the following details in your answer:
By weaving these points into your answer, you tell the oral board panel that you are serious about becoming a law enforcement officer in their specific department; that you have done an enormous amount of research; and that you know exactly what you are getting into.
These are all positive attributions and will score very well on exam day.
Public sexual encounters are often used as a pretext for many police interview questions. You should have a thorough understanding about how to approach this style of question during the oral board exam.
For the purposes of this discussion, let’s assume that you are out patrolling late at night and witness a sexual encounter in a local park; even though the park is supposed to be closed. How would you react to this situation? Some points worth considering include:
Of course, the precise answer you give must be tailored to the specific case study.
Here, we’ve strung together the top police interview tips to help navigate your way through the oral board exam.
Oral board panels have seen it all. Don’t try to pull the wool over their eyes. It won’t work and it only serves to compromise your chances of making it through to the next round.
The more radical and disproportionate your answers, the more you convey to the oral board panel that you can- not be trusted on your own. You may act in a rash or conflict-driven manner and that’s far too much of a risk for any department. Furthermore, don’t argue with the panel.
As soon as you enter the exam, your body language will be monitored. If your body language is out-of-sync with how you are answering questions, that inconsistency will raise alarm bells. Be conscious about your facial and body expressions and adjust accordingly.
You will be asked conflict-of-interest questions, of that there is no doubt. With this knowledge to hand, take the time to know – in advance – how you would react if a parent or sibling were involved in a situation that you found yourself involved in. These are some of the most important police interview questions on the exam.
During the exam, you may be asked police interview questions in a “dynamic-style” – meaning one question after another after another, often in an interrupted-style, on a specific case scenario. This can be a pressure cooker. It’s essential you remain calm, stay reasoned, and keep composure. That’s what they want to see.
At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. Take this opportunity to probe more into the department, or perhaps into something that triggered your curiosity during the oral board exam itself. Be proactive; ask some questions.
If you are willing to be negative about a past employer, why would you be any different with the police department? Limit talking negatively about others during the exam. It gives a bad impression. If anything, it just makes you look bad.
Nobody is perfect and the oral board panel know this. Don’t be afraid to admit any personal faults, now or in the past. What matters is that you can be trusted going forward.
By peppering each answer with the latest crime statistics, or figures relating to the department or problem in question, you greatly add value to each answer. Where possible, crowbar in some extra – but relevant – details, such as some personal experience you had, on a recent ride-in with the police department, for example.
There’s nothing worse than an ill-prepared test candidate. If you are not willing to spend the time, why should the department spend time on you? The more you learn about the department, role, and profession, the more you convey to the oral board panel that you are serious.
If you are already a registered member of Police Test Study Guide,you already have access to our oral board database of police interview questions, complete with full sample answers!
