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| by George M. Godoy |
| Police Oral Interview Preparation |
Most Police Oral Boards sit three to five poker faced individuals comprising of police personnel (police officers,
sergeants, detectives), city management and possibly human resources professionals. What occurs next is a
dramatic exchange that will change your life. You want that change to be shooting you to the top of the eligibility
list and hitting the fast track towards your law enforcement career.
Step one in your preparation is to learn as much as possible about the Department and City. Start with the City
web site. Get a feel for the community, news and events, happenings, and City departments. Get a copy of the
City annual report. The annual report is chock full of information to include the police budget, crime statistics,
callsfor service, arrests made etc. By reading a few pages you can learn more about the police department
than most of its officers.
Next go to the police web site. The easiest way to find the police web site is to do a Google or Yahoo search by
entering the city name followed by "police department". Scour the web site. Go into every nook and cranny to
unfold the department's mission statement, the police chief's vision, community policing policy, crime analysis,
criminal investigations, patrol bureau, traffic enforcement, dispatch center and traffic safety program, to name a
few.
Talk to department members. Pick their brain. What's a typical day, swing, and graveyard shift like. What types
of calls for service do they encounter most frequently. Is the city mostly residential. Are there many businesses,
or a combination of both. How many 'hot spots' such as 7-11's, banks and schools are there. What is the
diversity of the department? Knowing these things, even some, will give you points of reference when
answering oral board questions.
DO A POLICE RIDE ALONG. Many police departments allow civilian riders. Make sure you tell the person who
approves ride alongs that you are a police candidate. Though I personally never relished the thought of taking
a civilian rider on patrol (they were a pain) I did enjoy police candidate riders. You will often get a FTO (field
training officer), who is a teacher, so ask lots of relevant questions. Departments often limit the time a civilian
can ride, so take advantage... ride as long as possible. While I just stated ask questions, be mindful that the
officer is on the job observing, listening to the radio, and responding to calls. Be respectful of his duties, which
takes priority over your questions.
There will be lulls when the officer is just driving -- that's when your questions will break the silence, and often
be welcomed. Learn everything you can. If this is your first ride along it can be a real eye opener, depending on
the call load. At the end of your watch thank the officer for his or her time, and for answering your questions. If
you formed a rapport with the officer you now have a friend on the department. He or she may even put in a
good word for you. Not only that, but now you can use the ride along in the Oral Board. For instance, if asked a
question such as, "What have you done to prepare yourself for this position?", you can state (along with other
examples) something like, "I did a ride along with Officer Evans for five hours on a Friday night. We responded
to several calls including a burglary in progress, a vehicle break in, a prior sex assault, and a bar fight."
Not only will the board members know you care enough about the department to complete a ride along, but I
guarantee you'll score extra points with them. Points that could make a difference!
sergeants, detectives), city management and possibly human resources professionals. What occurs next is a
dramatic exchange that will change your life. You want that change to be shooting you to the top of the eligibility
list and hitting the fast track towards your law enforcement career.
Step one in your preparation is to learn as much as possible about the Department and City. Start with the City
web site. Get a feel for the community, news and events, happenings, and City departments. Get a copy of the
City annual report. The annual report is chock full of information to include the police budget, crime statistics,
callsfor service, arrests made etc. By reading a few pages you can learn more about the police department
than most of its officers.
Next go to the police web site. The easiest way to find the police web site is to do a Google or Yahoo search by
entering the city name followed by "police department". Scour the web site. Go into every nook and cranny to
unfold the department's mission statement, the police chief's vision, community policing policy, crime analysis,
criminal investigations, patrol bureau, traffic enforcement, dispatch center and traffic safety program, to name a
few.
Talk to department members. Pick their brain. What's a typical day, swing, and graveyard shift like. What types
of calls for service do they encounter most frequently. Is the city mostly residential. Are there many businesses,
or a combination of both. How many 'hot spots' such as 7-11's, banks and schools are there. What is the
diversity of the department? Knowing these things, even some, will give you points of reference when
answering oral board questions.
DO A POLICE RIDE ALONG. Many police departments allow civilian riders. Make sure you tell the person who
approves ride alongs that you are a police candidate. Though I personally never relished the thought of taking
a civilian rider on patrol (they were a pain) I did enjoy police candidate riders. You will often get a FTO (field
training officer), who is a teacher, so ask lots of relevant questions. Departments often limit the time a civilian
can ride, so take advantage... ride as long as possible. While I just stated ask questions, be mindful that the
officer is on the job observing, listening to the radio, and responding to calls. Be respectful of his duties, which
takes priority over your questions.
There will be lulls when the officer is just driving -- that's when your questions will break the silence, and often
be welcomed. Learn everything you can. If this is your first ride along it can be a real eye opener, depending on
the call load. At the end of your watch thank the officer for his or her time, and for answering your questions. If
you formed a rapport with the officer you now have a friend on the department. He or she may even put in a
good word for you. Not only that, but now you can use the ride along in the Oral Board. For instance, if asked a
question such as, "What have you done to prepare yourself for this position?", you can state (along with other
examples) something like, "I did a ride along with Officer Evans for five hours on a Friday night. We responded
to several calls including a burglary in progress, a vehicle break in, a prior sex assault, and a bar fight."
Not only will the board members know you care enough about the department to complete a ride along, but I
guarantee you'll score extra points with them. Points that could make a difference!
| Online Video Learning Systems: Police Exam - U.S. Border Patrol Exam |
| Police Exam 911™ A step-by-step system YOU can use to secure a top score on ANY Police Exam |
| U.S. Border Patrol Exam |
A step-by-step
system designed
specifically
for the
U.S. Border Patrol Exam
| George Godoy - Police Recruitment Specialist |
Sergeant George Godoy (Ret.) is a 22 year police
veteran. During his police career, Sergeant Godoy served
for 5 years as a police recruitment specialist where he
veteran. During his police career, Sergeant Godoy served
for 5 years as a police recruitment specialist where he
personally tested over 1,000 potential police recruits.
Sergeant Godoy has produced unique video presentations where he takes you step
by step through the Police Examination Process and the U.S. Border
Patrol Exam. Follow these links to check out his ONLINE VIDEO Police Exam
and U.S. Border Patrol Exam learning systems.
Sergeant Godoy has produced unique video presentations where he takes you step
by step through the Police Examination Process and the U.S. Border
Patrol Exam. Follow these links to check out his ONLINE VIDEO Police Exam
and U.S. Border Patrol Exam learning systems.
| Police Exam Preparation |
| Police Oral Interview Preparation |
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