EXAM: Police Oral Board Questions with Complete
Solutions
What is the order of operations as you approach a crime scene? ANSWER-The first
priority is to render aid to any victims, assuming the scene is safe for you to do so. Be sure to
scan the area to for potential dangers/ threats. Obviously you can't run into a crime in
progress and administer CPR while a gunman is still on scene. You certainly can't help
someone if you are shot, stabbed or being attacked yourself. After rendering aid, you must
secure the crime scene by preserving evidence (getting others out of the crime scene),
locating and separating witnesses/ suspects. Once you have the scene stabilized, you can
begin your investigation or contact your supervisor as policy dictates. Always notify your
supervisor of something that they should know about.
Tell us what you expect to be doing as a police officer in a typical day? ANSWER-
patrolling my area
making arrests
collecting evidence
answering calls for service
conducting traffic stops
, EXAM: Police Oral Board Questions with Complete
Solutions
Your oral board panel wants to know whether or not you REALLY want to be a police officer.
ANSWER-Let them know that this is the ONLY job you want and that you are dead
serious about a career in this field.
What important information should you know about a police department? ANSWER-
Important information should include the name of the police chief/ sheriff, the various
divisions within the agency (k9, SWAT, Detectives, etc). You should also know key points of
interest (colleges, airports, substations, jail, mass transit systems). Also, be familiar with the
department's size and make up as well as any news about the department.
When asked if there is anything that you'd like to add? ANSWER-Tell them how much
this job means to you. Tell them how this is the only job you have ever really wanted 9if that
is the truth), tell them how hard you will work, how dedicated you will be and how you will
not let the board or the department down. Let them know how much you respect what they
do and how you want to help others. Your emotion and sincerity will take you a long way in
this scenario. Don't let this opportunity to sell yourself pass you by!
For example, the scenario may start out with information concerning a specific law.
Understand what the law says when it is explained to you and use that information as a basis
, EXAM: Police Oral Board Questions with Complete
Solutions
for your decision making. ANSWER-If the law says that ALL vehicles parked in a red
zone at the airport must be towed, you need to tow the vehicle you are presented with,
despite the objections and arguments of the vehicle's owner. If the law says you must make
an arrest of someone who committed a domestic battery, then you must make an arrest
despite the pleas from the arestee's spouse. I cannot stress this enough: All the information
you need to make a decision will be given to you in advance. You need to pay attention to this
information. Understand what it says and apply it to the scenario you are given.
Why do you want to be a police officer? ANSWER-Now I realize what it takes to be an
officer, and I know that is my career path. I want to combine using my education to be among
those who protect and serve so that I can make a difference and help others. You can also
include aspects of it being more of a career than just another job. That, while you are not
doing this for the money, that the pay and benefits are good as well. That you also look
forward to seeing different things each day as well as police work being rewarding and
challenging.
-You get to work outside and inside
-There are many promotional opportunities and avenues to take throughout your career
, EXAM: Police Oral Board Questions with Complete
Solutions
What interests you most about working in law enforcement? ANSWER-I like the idea
that each day is different and that the work can be very challenging. I believe that the ability
to help others will make the job a very rewarding one as well.
When interests you the least about working in law enforcement? How will you handle such
less favorable tasks? ANSWER-Be wary of any responses that avoid answering the
question. There is certainly one part about the job that excites you less than other parts. A
better response would be something that sticks out as boring or unpleasant, such as having to
write reports instead of being out in the field (common amongst police officers).
What have you done to prepare for the position of police officer? ANSWER-You should
include any formal education (criminal justice classes, etc), military experience, related work
experience (customer service, etc). You should include ride-alongs that you have done, any
related volunteer work and relate past experiences to the job. Do not say that you have not
done anything. If you have no criminal justice classes or military, etc, relate past or current
employment to the job. Go on a ride-along, buy books about police work and convey to the
board that you have done something. This is a question that you should spend a lot of time
on. Start finding ways to relate your current and past experiences, jobs, education, etc to the
field of law enforcement.
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