Traffic Patrol Officer

This is another question looking towards job commitment. Some people go through jobs like socks because they don’t have a life plan, and your answer can show insight into this. It can also be used for finding out if you are the type that sets goals at all in life, because those that make long-term goals are usually more reliable. Also, your goals can provide insight on your personality too.

You should respond with an answer that shows progression in your career is on track with your route in the company. It’s important to do your research on company prospects, this way you understand what to expect and if it’s in your long-term goal. Interviewers don’t want to set you on a path that won’t provide the results you want, resulting in you resigning.

The candidate has no way of knowing what skills the other candidates may possess and should acknowledge it. The purpose of this question is to determine if the department will receive an adequate return-on-investment from the required training they must provide for a new employee. When preparing for this question, view the issue from the perspective of an employer.

Departments do not want to hire an officer only to learn he/she is incompetent, lazy, or are looking to move on to another agency. The candidate should be able to describe how he/she has always been a dedicated and hard worker with other employers. Candidates who are highly motivated may describe how they continuously seek to enhance their knowledge, skills, performance, and do not expect the department to always provide this development. They may also describe a desire to stay with the department because of ties to family and friends in the community and department.

(depending on the type of agency you are applying to) Try to avoid the cliché answers of “I want to serve and protect” or “I want to give back to the community.” Cynical panel members are on the lookout for people who tell them what they think they want to hear.

I advise people, when you picture yourself as an officer, what is it that you are doing? If it is helping small children and being role model because the same thing occurred to you when you were a child interacting with a neighbor who was an officer, then say so. If it’s because you’ve tried the indoor, office cubicle type of career path and you are looking for a more varied, outdoor type of excitement, then say so. If it’s because you want to help bust drug dealers because your best friend from high school died after graduation from an overdose, then say so.

You have to help the panel understand that your desire stems from more than just the cars are pretty or you want to carry a gun and drive fast. Try not to focus solely on why the agency is good for you, but rather show the synergy between what you can bring to the agency and how that in turn will help you

You can be sure they will run a computer check to see if you have had any motor vehicle violations. This is one example of where your ability to tell the truth will be verified. Just because you were ticketed for speeding, illegal parking, or for an accident does not mean you are immediately disqualified from obtaining a position with them. Every agency will accept a person who has minor infractions. Nobody is perfect. The agency may have a certain number of violations they will accept. If you exceed the set number, then you are disqualified. For example, four or more speeding tickets in the past two years may be unacceptable. Each agency usually sets the standards they deem appropriate.

What they are looking for is a pattern of deviant behavior. You are applying for a job which enforces the law. If you have demonstrated that you continually break the law, no matter how minor the violation, they are not going to hire you. The other concern is that a police officer spends a great deal of time in a motor vehicle. They want to make sure you can properly handle a vehicle and that you are not going to get into an accident.

This question may also be asked in other ways such as, What are your strong points? or What assets will you bring to this agency? This is your chance to brag about yourself. Everyone has good qualities. Tell them what characteristics you possess that will help you in your job performance. There is a big difference between articulating your strength and boasting. State things as matter-of-fact and avoid embellishing. If you were in a supervisory position, make clear your ability to manage people. Avoid statements such as: Everyone likes me or Everyone knew how well I did this. State your strengths as measurable or documented things. Such statements would be: There was a low turn over during the time I was a supervisor or My boss gave me additional responsibilities. Being liked is an admirable trait but showing your ability to perform is more important. Take some time before the interview and think about your strong points.

☛ Can you tell us about yourself in a few words?

☛ Why is your chosen line of field, the police forces? Or, why do you want to be in the police forces?

☛ Give us an idea about your educational background and achievements. How do they relate to this particular profession?

☛ Do you have any criminal convictions that we need to be aware of?

☛ What according to you is the most important aspect of being a police officer?

☛ Are you restrained by any medical conditions that might affect your job, if selected?

☛ How important do you think it is to work in a team? Have you had any past experiences?

☛ Did you prepare for this interview? How?

☛ Give us one example of a situation when you helped another person.

☛ Suppose you see a coworker pick-pocketing during a drug search, what actions will you take, if any?

☛ What are your weaknesses? Have you ever tried overcoming them? How?

☛ What sort of mind-set does a police officer need to have when dealing with hardcore criminals?

☛ Are you driven towards a passion for justice or do you want this job for money?

☛ Name some personal qualities that make you well suited for this job.

☛ How often do you consume alcohol?

☛ In most departments, the gun is a very important part of the police force. How would you feel when carrying the same and taking someone’s life in your hands?

☛ For example, if your brother is convicted of a first degree murder and you are the police on duty, what steps would you take to assure that he gets what he deserves?

☛ What do you believe in: capital punishment or a life sentence?

☛ In what kind of situations would you be depressed?

☛ Has there been a time when you could not solve a given problem, even after trying hard?

☛ Being in the police forces is a demanding job. How will you maintain your health and fitness?

☛ If a criminal attacks you and runs for his life, what will you do?

☛ How many people are there in your family? Do they know that being in service is risky business?

☛ Do you think making friends is more important than your career?

☛ There are several departments in the police forces. Which one have you picked? Why?

☛ Who is the current Commissioner of Police?

☛ There is a lot of competition for this particular position. What makes you think you are better than the others?

☛ Do you think men and women need to be treated equally on committing crime?

☛ Why do you want to be a police officer? What motivates you about a career in law enforcement?

☛ What education or training have you undertaken that makes you fit for this position?

☛ Do you have volunteering experience? How did this experience prepare you to be a police officer?

☛ Do you have any allergies or medical conditions that would hamper your job as a police officer?

☛ What do you think is the role of the law enforcement department?

☛ What is the most important aspect of being a police officer?

☛ What are the key values of a police officer and how do you demonstrate these values?

☛ What are conversation impressions other than words? How do you use these to communicate effectively with others?

☛ What are the techniques that you use to clarify meanings of vague messages?

☛ Have you ever taken initiatives to solve problems that where beyond your responsibilities?

☛ How frequently do you support others and get support from others?

☛ What is the importance of building relationships with colleges to your professional life?

☛ How do you cope with stressful situations in general?

☛ Describe a situation when you had to direct others.

☛ What practices do you implement during situations of conflict and are they successful?

☛ Give an example of a mistake you made. What did you learn from that mistake?

☛ Do you have an example of a situation when you followed strict rules to complete a task?

☛ Give me a situation of efficient teamwork. Why did this situation require efficient team work?

☛ Give me an example of a situation when you helped someone.

☛ Do you need to learn anything new that is related to police duties? What are your development needs?

If you have always wanted to be a police officer since you were a little kid, then tell them that. Of course, what they really want to know is specifically why do you want to go into law enforcement? If you tell them you want to kick butt and arrest people, you will not pass the interview. Tell them what it is about law enforcement you find attractive. Maybe you like investigative work and would enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out what happened or who did it. Emphasize the high moral standards you have. Protecting your community is something you would like to do.

The panel may also ask why you want a job with their specific agency or department. Do not tell them you always wanted a job with them. Do not tell them they are the best agency even if you feel that way. They will not view your answer as sincere. To them, it looks like you are saying whatever you need to say to get the job. In this case, flattery will get you nowhere. You should tell them what you like about their agency. If you have heard good things about their department, then tell them that. If you know someone who works for them, you can probably mention their name. Tell them that this person had good things to say about them. Be honest but do not try to snowball them. After all, these are police officers that are interviewing you.

The panel will probe into your work history. They will look at the duties you performed in your previous jobs. Share with them any supervisory responsibilities you held. You should mention any accomplishments you had or recognitions you received. Don't fret if your work history consists of minimum wage jobs. You can still show them you are a dependable worker who will get the job done.

If you have worked several jobs, they will ask you why you left one job for another job. Be truthful in your answer. If you left because the new job paid more money or because you did not like what you were doing, then tell them that. If you were fired from a job, they will inquire as to why you were terminated.

If you have just graduated from college and have not yet joined the work force, you probably still have a work history. You should talk about any summer jobs you had, or part-time jobs you had while in school. The panel is looking for reliability. Someone who arrives to work on time and gets the job done. Someone who does not abuse sick leave and has no problems taking orders from a superior.

As with your driving record they will run a criminal history through the National Crime Information Center to see if you have a criminal record. Nearly every police agency will not hire you if you have been convicted of a felony charge. A misdemeanor conviction does not necessarily disqualify you for the job. They will inquire as to what type of sentence you received. They will ask you about the details of the case. If this was something you did as a juvenile, then share that with the panel. Their concerns are whether or not this is the only time you were caught. If you were arrested but the charges were later dropped or you were found not guilty, they will question you concerning the charges. Were you truly innocent or did you get off on a technicality? Be prepared for them to inquire about any contacts you had with the police. Maybe you were not arrested but were you detained for questioning?