PoliceLink

Preparation for judgment/situational test questions on the police written test may seem daunting, but in reality, you need to capture only one thing -- the mindset of a police officer. Thinking like a police officer is not simple, yet the elements that make up a police officers mindset are simple, straightforward and support effective, correct actions and decisions in situational dilemmas. ...

The police written test will vary throughout the country. Some police agencies rent the written test from companies like Stanard & Associates that specialize in the police entrance test, while other agencies have written tests provided to them by state run organizations such as POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training). Still, countless municipalities with smaller budgets write their own. In the ...

When you made your decision to become a police officer, you made a decision to change your life. And when you turned in your application, you took your first step in a grueling process towards achieving your goal. Next in the gauntlet: the police written exam. The first hurtle. The first cold sweat in a long line of cold sweats. Now's ...

Oral boards are the key to getting hired. As a police academy manager and former police chief, I have seen countless applicants bomb their oral hiring board when they were otherwise good candidates. Like many other things in life, proper preparation can make the difference. This article will suggest ten tips to increase your chances for success. *1) Do your research.* ...

The image you present in your Police Oral Board Interview is one of the most important elements to consider in any preparations you undertake. The most positive image to present is one that displays character traits that are universally perceived as positive. Bringing a powerful combination of accepted positive images to your interview is a sure way to make a winning ...

It is a good idea to practice your oral board answers, but what tools can you use to do that - and what tools give you an edge? A video camera is a great tool. You need to see how you look to other people. What better way is there to get a good look at yourself? How about standing in ...

My last Law Enforcement Career Expert column for PoliceLink.com covered ten tips for mastering the police oral board. This column covers how to answer the questions themselves. While I can’t give you the exact wording that will work for you, understanding why certain questions are asked, and how to formulate the answer that fits you, is the key to getting hired ...

The information presented here is meant to be used as a rule of thumb guideline for vehicle pursuit questions on police entrance exams. Both the police written test and the oral board interview may include judgment questions regarding vehicle pursuits. Police agencies do not want to hire someone who disregards the safety of the public in order to stop a vehicle ...

A police officer's world is populated by unsavory characters, regulated by laws, regulations and policies, and powered by spikes of adrenalin. A police officer's life is a balance between work and home, like every working person, but an officer's work is more than just their job -it is also who they are. The uniform, badge and gear may come off when ...

It goes without saying that for officer survival, one of the leading mantras is “watch the suspect’s hands.” “Watch the hands” of course is excellent advice, aimed at ensuring that you’re not surprised by a sudden move. One of my training officers told me, over three decades ago, similar great advice, “plan for NO SURPRISES.” What about “career survival” though – ...