We won't send you spam. It is correct to either use the chief's title as in Dear Commissioner Gates or simply the chief's name, Dear Mr. Gates, although the former sounds more courteous and respectful. As you conduct your research digitally and through human intelligence, you will inevitably identify helpful information that you can use to supplement the information you already have from the job advertisement. Very lengthy process, over a year in total. I also believe it is helpful to complete some research about the city you will potentially be employed by.  A search to find out how well the city leaders get along, what big projects they are working on and how well they support the police department are all important facts to know. One of the first things to do once you decide to apply for a position is to set up a Google Alert for the department, which will help you keep informed about current events. Why did the former police chief leave? A lack of experience can be overcome with knowledge and confidence. Like peers in larger jurisdictions, small town police chief applicants can expect close scrutiny of their credentials, management style and reasons for applying. The Human Resources Director is generally involved in the process. You might be asked to share your daily physical fitness routine or talk about what kind of exercise you regularly participate in. I applied online. Day 2 fitness test is only 5.4, again, not many people fail that. Area police chiefs respond to state reform bill Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. Staff File Photo/Paul Franz James Sullivan, police chief in Orange, speaks during his interview … Recruit a friend to practice answering questions 6. Be aware that the board members are trained police officers who know how to spot a lie. The hiring process for most law enforcement job openings consists of setting a written test, oral board interviews, and often a physical agility test. If managing a budget is a weakness, spend time researching the ins and outs of budgeting, review the department’s budget and be prepared to speak knowledgeably about the subject. In still another process, there were three separate interview panels.  The first panel consisted of several local police chiefs, other department heads and was led by the HR Director.  The second interview panel was much smaller but carried more weight since the two members of the panel were the police chief’s bosses.  Elected officials made up the third interview panel. If a resume is designed to get you to the next part in the hiring process, a well prepared for interview can get you the job. How to Handle Difficult Questions in an Interview, Police Link: 10 Tips For Mastering The Police Oral Board. Plan your interview attire the night before 8. Well, that was then, and this is now. When seeking employment as a police officer, candidates must progress through several phases of the hiring process. Interview Tips; How to Prepare for a Job Interview; 50 Most Common Interview Questions; The Best Questions to Ask at an Interview, According to a Hiring Manager; How To Ace Your Virtual Interview; 5 Keys to Preparing for a Competency-Based Interview; 9 Signs You Smashed Your Job Interview; New On Glassdoor; Here For You During COVID-19 You need to research what the position calls for and think up good responses that tie-in with those requirements. Faizah Imani, an educator, minister and published author, has worked with clients such as Harrison House Author, Thomas Weeks III, Candle Of Prayer Company and "Truth & Church Magazine." Practice in front of a mirror so you can watch your body language. Day 1 has a very low pass rate, I think around 70% of applicants pass the day. 2 Based on: Top 10 police chief interview questions and answers Updated To: Top 20 police chief interview questions and answers On: Mar 2017 3. And look the interviewer in the eye, obviously not aggressively but politely. If someone involved in the hiring process finds out about my inquiry will it hurt my opportunity? Before you ask approach anyone, carefully consider these questions first: If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then don’t ask your question.  It is not worth the risk. When you shake their hand, give a good solid first impression. A classic example is many advertisements for police chiefs want a candidate that has experience managing a budget.  If you have experience managing a budget and this is one of your strengths that is great.  When you have no experience managing a budget, then that would be a weakness. Interview tips: 1. Where the chief of police is an elected official, address your letter using the person's name: Mr. Robert Gates Commissioner of Police St. Louis County Police Department In this case, you can open with a formal salutation of your choosing. I would really appreciate any help you could give me! Study the job description 4. Is the person I want to speak with involved in the hiring process? I’m pursuing a law enforcement career right now, so I want to be ready. • 80 police interview questions • Top 10 interview secrets to win every job interview • 13 types of interview questions and how to face them • Top 12 common mistakes in job interviews • Top 3 interview thank you letter samples • Top 10 cover letter samples • Top 8 … The way you are dressed is the first thing the board will notice when you walk into the interview room. Discretion is the key when gathering human intelligence. Passing for your police interview requires more than adequately preparing your resume and securing the interview in the first place. This performance must portray you in the best possible light; standing out from the crowd for all the right reasons. By Police1 Staff. How these tests are scored or “Weighted” will vary. Ultimately, your quest is to find information that will help you thoroughly prepare for your interview. As my colleague noted, roughly 40-50% of applicants are eliminated in this critical phase of the hiring process. Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing – Principle #7, Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing – Principle #6, 4 Lessons Learned From Reading 74 Books in 2020, Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing – Principle #5, The Timeless Policing Principles of Sir Robert Peel. Police chiefs are all about law and order, after all, not change and transformation. The interview could be informal or rather structured. Plan your day in a way that allows you to show up 10 to 15 minutes early to the interview. What kind of information should you look for?  What questions should you ask?  Let’s take a look at a few typical examples.  This list is not an exhaustive one. Inappropriate attire sets a negative tone for the interview. Sign up below to get your free resume email course delivered to your inbox today. The initial interview usually asks every candidate the exact same questions, in the exact same order. An important aspect of the fire chiefs interview is to judge how prepared you are. I finally got through the entire hiring process with a department and the final step is an interview with the chief next week. A three-ring binder with a brief "highlight reel" of your career and accomplishments. Sign up below to receive my Top Cop Leadership 5 X 5 Digest of curated content from the web. Information is king when it comes to interviewing preparation. Choose neutral colors, such as navy, gray or brown. Good eye contact and a calm demeanor conveys honesty and confidence. Visit Evernote and sign up for the free, premium, or business version. Your email address will not be published. Start the assessment of your strengths and weaknesses the moment you read the advertisement for the job.  Continue that assessment until you are either hired or eliminated from the process. You may or may gain helpful insight by identifying the interview panelists but it certainly won’t hurt you. A similar attitude should reflect in your words when you are on that chair opposite to the department chief. Finance directors may have budget questions while the HR Manager may be concerned about labor issues or other personnel matters. Consider these job interview questions in that light and figure out the best responses. I did have a question though that I hope you could answer. What kind of relationship does the department have with the political leaders. Be prepared accordingly. There are two ways you can collate the data and information you collect as you prepare for your upcoming interview. Practice answers to common interview questions. Facing 100's of personality questions while trying to pick the "right" answer can be challenging. I am continuing my series of articles about Sir Robert…, I am an avid reader.  If you know me, have…. Dress to impress. What kind of police chief is the department looking for? In most cases, the first part of the interview process involves an interview panel.  In a perfect world, it is helpful to know the make-up of the panel ahead of time.  However, it is not the end of the world if you don’t have it. Democrats And RINOs Pass House Bill To Disarm Local Cops: Chiefs Of Police Association – OpEd July 12, 2020 July 12, 2020 Jim Kouri 0 Comments By Jim Kouri I went into my first entry-level Police Officer job interview without guidance. In another process, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police conducted an Assessment Center, which screened the candidates. This exam, together with the Oral Board interview, weed … What kind of reputation does the department have? Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Let me provide a word of caution before I go any further.  Gathering human intelligence can be extremely tricky.  If not done properly, it can sabotage your efforts and more importantly, can potentially cost you the job interview or even the job. This type of research can be of value also when seeking internal promotions in the organization. This is why I’ve dedicated the latter portion of my career as a police chief, to assisting applicants with honing their interview skills, and thankfully, learning to be that person, the rock star candidate, is teachable and more importantly, learnable. Is the information I am seeking available online? Make eye contact with the interviewers when speaking and answering interview questions. The interview, it could either, depends on the Chief. Visiting the department website can help you identify important initiatives they are involved in, research the structure of the organization and become familiar with the department in general. Area police chiefs respond to state reform bill ... police chief in Orange, speaks during his interview for the position in 2019. This intensive online training course is ideal for anyone who wants to ensure that they are fully prepared for the police officer assessment centre interview… Again, I provided this short list to stimulate your thought process. Leave the interview just as confidently as you entered. In Part 1 of this series, I discussed the importance of conducting extensive research into the department and the position you are applying for.  I also examined the importance of gathering human intelligence in the process.  I stressed the need to identify the members of the interview panel to help you better prepare for the interview.  And lastly, I reminded you that identifying your strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the job opportunity and your research will help you prepare responses to questions that will highlight your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. Most likely your interview will be conducted by a panel, which might consist of leaders within the company as well as administrators overseeing the department. Practice your answers to common interview questions 3. As you conduct research, you need a place to store all of the information you collect.  The easiest and simplest way is to purchase a notebook, create dividers and group the information you gather together.  Pull the notebook out whenever you have a moment to review the information. So you enter the interview room, make sure you look smart, you sit up straight in the interview chair and these questions that you’re gonna get asked are based on your past experiences. Billy. I think you get the idea.  I’m sure you can add many more questions to this list. Unsubscribe at any time. What makes the process different, however, is its personalized … This interview is also referred to as the “oral board” interview. THE ONLINE POLICE OFFICER INTERVIEW COACHING PROGRAMME – SPECIALIST EXPERT TUITION ON HOW TO PASS THE POLICE INTERVIEW. The point of knowing who will be on the interview panel is not so you can try to influence them.  Instead, it is to help you anticipate questions and prepare appropriate responses. Inspiring and equipping today's law enforcement leaders for tomorrow's opportunities. These questions are geared towards a sergeant position, but I have used many of them in all ranks during the chief's interview phase. The City Manager or Mayor, depending on who the hiring authority is, then sets up an interview panel. The chief will most likely not grill you with technical questions. Have there been any recent controversies in the news? Have there been any questionable uses of force in recent history? Start with people you know within the organization with the job opening.  Your goal is to find answers to questions that are not readily available online. Interview. If you are an external candidate, this type of research is priceless.  Even if you are an internal candidate, the information you gather might surprise you so don’t discount the value of additional research. In another process, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police conducted an Assessment Center, which screened the candidates.  The City Manager led an interview panel made up of several internal department heads.  The names of the members of the interview panel were not provided. This may score you points because it shows the board that you did your homework. The Interview portion of the testing process will be conducted by members of the Ocean County Police Chiefs Association and the Academy Director. Of course, a notebook is kind of bulky and it is old school.  A great tool I love to use for this purpose, and for all of my daily work, is Evernote.  Evernote is a website, app and google plugin that allows you to capture the information you find on websites and sort it into electronic notebooks and even subdivide the notebooks into notes. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. Re: The BI. Some agencies will have the written test be pass/fail with the oral board interview … What kind of a relationship does the department have with the community? By doing so, you can give a calculated and thoughtful response. 3 This ebook consists of two parts: - Part I: Top 20 police chief interview questions and answers (pdf, free download) - Part II: Top 12 tips to prepare for police chief interview 4. Instead, take your time. Can You Lose Your Physical Therapy License From a DUI? If you say you don't have any areas that need improvement, the board may perceive you as a liar. 5 Big Mistakes Police Chief Candidates Make on Their Resume…And How YOU Can Avoid Them. From a practical point of view, knowing the names of each member of the interview panel gave me some small level of comfort and reduced the anxiety I was feeling tremendously. This is my first cheifs interview and I m a bit nervous because I don t know what to expect. The members of the interview panel usually include the City Manager or Mayor and other department heads. Once you have exhausted your contacts within the organization, or if you don’t have any, it is time to reach out to others in the area who can offer some insight into the department, the opportunity or any challenges. This phrase is often associated with intelligence gathering in the military.  However, it can also be helpful when preparing for a job interview. The process took 12+ months. I bombed my first Police Oral Board. Police agencies use oral board interviews to make a number of decisions, including evaluating new hires, making transfers and determining who the best candidate for promotion will be.. I interviewed at Metropolitan Police Service (London, England) in August 2019. For instance, the board may ask how you would handle a situation where a friend or family member was engaged in illegal activity. There was an error submitting your subscription. One is old school and the other is new school.  I have done both. Aspiring police chiefs typically enter the workforce as police officers, and they should have an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. Expect some personal questions during the interview. Hairstyles should be neat and conservative. Click here : http://FWD2.WS/oral-board-questions Ace the police oral board interview. Pause for two to three seconds before speaking. Start preparing for your interview.  I know.  You don’t have one scheduled yet.  However, it is best to start your preparation early.  You never know how much advance notice you will receive for the interview. Gathering this important information is good, but knowing how to use it is even better. 1. Who Runs the Meeting if a Board President Is Absent? That is a difficult question to answer because the answer is probably different for each officer. Notepad and pen to write names down if multiple people are interviewing you. A good search for current information coupled with some recent history is very helpful. This may involve training at police or regional academy. The Chief’s interview is far different from the structured oral interview that you may take during the initial testing phase. Answer questions using the STAR method 5. Thank you for signing up for my 5 Big Mistakes Chief Candidates Make on Their Resume....And How YOU Can Avoid Them free email course. In general, though, I would say police officers struggle with the challenge of shift work and being away from their families so much. Hello, I am a police recruit who has just finished the academy and I ve been applying for many different departments. Follow this link to sign up for a free resume email course. This blog post is the first in a three-part series covering this topic.  I will cover 12 critical tasks to master to have a killer interview.  I will provide an “Interview Preparation Checklist” which you can download for free at the end of this series. It is always helpful to know if the person with the hiring authority will be on the interview panel.  In almost every case, you can expect this person to be part of the interview panel at some point.  Sometimes though, this person will not be on the first interview panel. On this page, I’ll walk you through the entire police hiring process, step by step (including inside info and foolproof tips). The way you are dressed is the first thing the board will notice when you walk into the interview room. In some cases, the board might consist of neighboring police chiefs. The Chief’s interview does not operate in this fashion. One of the last phases include a face-to-face interview before a panel of other officers. Instead, present a weakness in a positive light. It would be a shame if you had six weeks to prepare before you received the good news you were selected for an interview with only three days’ notice. Inappropriate attire sets a negative tone for the interview. You can gain significant insight into the knowledge, skills, and abilities sought for the position by collecting this information.  Then, you can compare the information you gathered against your strengths and weaknesses. Imagine you open up your email one day and find an advertisement for your dream job.  The police chief position you have always wanted.  You spend a considerable amount of time preparing your resume and submit it and wait in anticipation. You’ll need to perform on the day. If you are from the area, you will likely know some members of the interview panel.  Avoid the burning desire to contact them at all.  This is not a good idea.  Do not do anything that might taint your selection for the position should you get the nod or that might disqualify you. The exam, also known as the police personality test, is long and confusing. Yogananda Pittman, acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief, has one of the nation’s most important jobs. Next week, I will bring you Part 2 of this series.  I will discuss how to prepare potential questions, discuss the advantages of writing out your responses and finish with highlighting the importance of practicing for your interview. Research the history of the police department so you can speak intelligently about the agency's history, values and mission. Your oral police interview is a professional job interview and you should treat it as such. There is little difference between preparing for a police chief interview and preparing for any other job interview.  The basic principles are the same.  Promotional opportunities within the department where the candidate is currently employed works the same. A retiring police chief after a long and successful career is much different proposition than an indicted police chief. In my experience, the point of contact setting up your interview will share the names of the members of the interview panel.  In many cases, the members of the interview panel are identified publicly. Dress professionally and conservatively in a business suit and tie for men, and a pant or skirt suit or dress for women. Are there any big issues facing the department? You will probably be asked to describe a weakness. Hi there, I read through a few of your articles here. How to Prepare for a Warrant Officer Interview, How to Prepare for a Board Interview as an Air National Guard Officer. Remember, you are looking at a job that requires you to be always prepared for emergencies. Lo and behold, it was a nerve-wracking experience. Resist the urge to blurt out an answer as soon as the last word rolls off the interviewer's tongue. And to make it even better, you’ll get a complete practice plan for the notorious police written exam. Be prepared with examples of your work 7. Your answer to this question reveals your integrity and commitment to uphold the law without bias. Heck, I didn’t even know what an oral board was. Small Town Police Chief Interview Questions. Copies of your resume that you can pass around to panel members. Multiple chiefs asking me questions and me searching for answers. Don't appear nervous or fidgety. In the early stages of the process, an evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses should be based on the job advertisement.  The greater your strengths align with the advertisement, the better your chances are of success.  The opposite is also true.  The less your strengths align with the advertisement, the more you have to overcome your weaknesses to achieve success. The make-up of the panel was provided ahead of time. Dress in a conservative manner such as a business suit. We live in a world today, you can find almost any information you need online.   where almost any information you need can be found online.  For those seeking new job opportunities, this fact is pretty awesome. Thank the board for taking the time to meet with you. Officers must receive training, often in the form of a certification program, after they have been accepted by an agency. Gathering information will help inform you about potential questions, allow you to provide facts and observations during your interview that demonstrates the extent of your knowledge about the organization and provide a level of assurance that you are prepared. And she’s held it for less than a week. I am familiar with a police chief candidate who was gathering human intelligence but was overly aggressive.  The candidate asked the wrong person questions seeking privileged information.  Consequently, he did not get the job. Before starting a great career as a police officer, you'll have to pass a police psychological exam. While I don't expect you to sweat bullets, you'd do well to be concerned. Success! Though the oral board’s specific questions will change, candidates can prepare answers to present the best possible version of themselves to the interviewers. The best time to start preparing for your job interview is the moment you decide to apply for the job. You can reasonably expect that the Chief will be talking to other candidates as well.  Here are a few examples to stimulate your thought process. Be completely honest during the interview. Every hiring process is different and the makeup of particular interview panels vary from city to city. Research the company and your interviewers 2. The membership of each interview panel was known ahead of time. Ok.  Enough of that.  Let’s get to the meat and potatoes. Dear Sir/Madam is also appropriate and may be preferable if you wish to strike an especiall… If a number of police chiefs are on the panel, you can google them and their departments which might provide insight into their hot-button issues or areas of interest.  Other police chiefs speak our language, which can also be helpful. Preparing well is critical to answering police chief interview questions effectively. I was wondering, What do police officers hate most about the police force? Her dossier includes JaZaMM WebDesigns, assistant high-school band director, district manager for the Clarion Ledger and event coordinator for the Vicksburg Convention Center. For instance, say that one of your weaknesses is that you work too hard or you tend to be a perfectionist in your job. When I interviewed for the police chief job in Marietta the interview panel consisted of the City Manager, a couple of local police chiefs and other department heads.  The make-up of the panel was provided ahead of time. Please try again. This is done so that the exam is consistent for everyone. When I interviewed for the police chief job in Marietta the interview panel consisted of the City Manager, a couple of local police chiefs and other department heads. A little due diligence can increase your chances of passing the interview. If managing a budget is a strength, talk about it if a question about the budget is asked or respond to a different question since that knowledge could be helpful. Day 3 is very difficult.