Law enforcement applicants face a myriad of tests before the actual job interview: written exams, physical agility testing and several types of background checks (criminal, driving and credit). So if they reach the interview stage they have aced over half the law enforcement agency's expectations, but they are not home free yet. There are still the behavioral interview questions to answer and the responses to those questions can eliminate an otherwise exceptional candidate.
Instructions
1. Educate yourself about political dynamics by asking several current employees at the law enforcement agency (and whom you know on a personal basis), to tell you if the Chief of Police, or the Sheriff, get along well with the city commissioners. This information is important to know since police chiefs are dependent upon city commissioners for approval on budget requests, as well as new program implementations and officer promotions, and any adverse relations between the two might serve to end your interest at this stage in the process. Ask if leadership in the agency supports community policing, as this work dynamic will affect the priority they will want new officers to place on community concerns that may be brought to their attention while in the field. Ask the job recruiter to provide you information about the personality, educational level reached, and agency length of employment, for each agency individual scheduled to help conduct your law enforcement job interview. Armed with this information you will be better equipped to understand your interviewers and their comments and questions.
2. Compare your personality and skills to those the agency is seeking for the desired position. Do this by requesting the human resource department provide you with a list of the desired personality traits and skills the agency seeks from applicants for this position. Have someone who knows you well--through personal and professional interactions--help you review the list for confirmation that you meet the desired attributes, and to help you craft statements to voice during the interview that reflect how you meets the agency's desired requirements. Arm yourself with detailed knowledge about the police job you are interviewing for by speaking with others in the agency that hold that position. Ask to participate in a ride along with one or two of these officers to get an accurate idea of daily job duties, as well as a basic understanding of the police equipment used.
3. Compile letters of reference, copies of pertinent educational degrees, certification verifications, and several copies of your resume for handout to a number of interviewees, as it is likely you will be interviewed by more than one individual within the organization, or even a panel of people. Once you gather all these documents, make copies of each and place in a professional-looking binder (black is the color of choice), using clear page protectors for each document. This portfolio will look more "pulled together" than a mere envelope, affording you more credibility during the interview and application process and allowing for quick removal of items as needed. Have your proof of auto insurance card, as well as two forms of identification. If you have a gun license, bring that too.
4. Prepare for the behavioral interview by creating a script of the possible questions by asking current employees--in the desired position--to provide you with a list of questions they were asked at their interview for employment, and the responses that they gave. One question likely to be asked if you are applying for a police officer position, and the answer that would be expected for it, is: If you were called to a domestic violence scene and the husband came to the door and told you everything was alright. What would you do? The proper response would be to insist on speaking to the woman of the house, outside the home, and in private. An officer cannot take the potential abuser's word that everything is okay. Another possible question would be, "If a criminal is attempting to flee, and you are on foot, do you give chase or go back to your vehicle?" The correct response would be to follow on foot, as time is of the essence. Practice fielding the behavioral interview questions supplied by current law enforcement employees by inviting your friends to serve as a mock interview panel. Armed with your created script, and in a similar setting to what you can expect for the behavioral portion of your upcoming interview, your friends can aid you in mentally preparing for the difficult interview to come.
5. Dress and groom accordingly: Professional attire of the appropriate season (dark suit and tie for men; dark dress or dressy pantsuit for women), neat and above the collar (or up-swept for women) hair, minimum and conservative jewelry (if any at all), no cologne or perfume, and black shoes or pumps with no obvious scuff marks or dirt.
Tags: behavioral interview, Armed with, behavioral interview questions, city commissioners, during interview, enforcement agency
