Dispatchers respond to a variety of emergencies, including violent crimes and incapacitating falls. As they manage numerous calls, record calls, calm anxious callers, dispatch emergency personnel, and give life-saving advice, dispatchers’ typical days can be hectic. While 911 dispatchers handle all emergency calls and connect callers with the appropriate police, fire, and medical services, police dispatchers handle both emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinate a response from law enforcement. Dispatcher jobs arent always easy. To ensure that they are employing the most qualified candidates for the job, prospective employers will pose challenging dispatcher interview questions.
Some common interview questions include those about your strengths and weaknesses, career objectives, and why you should be hired. But it’s crucial to be ready to respond to inquiries about dispatcher jobs. When preparing for your interview, you can refer to our list of frequently asked questions and sample responses for dispatcher interviews.
Are You Prepared – An Interview with Greg Tassone from CHP
Interviews for Top Jobs at California Highway Patrol
Public Safety Dispatcher Interview
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 12 months. I interviewed at California Highway Patrol
Interview
Lengthy but fair. Asked typical interview questions but also went off script and asked other things. The staff was nice and welcoming. The interview isn’t there to trick you, they want you to pass 🙂
- Strength and weaknesses
Personnel Specialist Interview
I interviewed at California Highway Patrol
Interview
It took about a month to get an interview, there was not exercise to complete before the interview day like other state agencies, however before the interview, the person takes to a separate room to complete a short test and you are given a calculator to assist. The interview itself was very standard
- What responsibilities does a personnel specialist have, and what relevant experience do you have?
Cadet Interview
I interviewed at California Highway Patrol
Interview
easy as long as you prep and go in with good attitude. dress professional and be quick with returning documents afterwards when investigator wants or needs things. after that, stay fit, go to the workshops.
- tell us about yourself and something i cant remember
The Next Step: Find the Right Veteran Job
You can use Military.com to improve your resume, locate veteran job fairs in your area, or make connections with companies that are hiring veterans. com can help. Sign up for a free Military. com membership to receive job postings, how-to articles, and more in your inbox.
Here, we’ve strung together the top police interview tips to help navigate your way through the oral board exam.
Always be honest.
Oral board panels have seen it all. Don’t try to pull the wool over their eyes. It won’t work and it only serves to compromise your chances of making it through to the next round.
Be proportionate.
The more radical and disproportionate your answers, the more you convey to the oral board panel that you can- not be trusted on your own. You may act in a rash or conflict-driven manner and that’s far too much of a risk for any department. Furthermore, don’t argue with the panel.
Monitor your body language.
As soon as you enter the exam, your body language will be monitored. If your body language is out-of-sync with how you are answering questions, that inconsistency will raise alarm bells. Be conscious about your facial and body expressions and adjust accordingly.
Know how to handle conflict-of-interest situations.
You will be asked conflict-of-interest questions, of that there is no doubt. With this knowledge to hand, take the time to know – in advance – how you would react if a parent or sibling were involved in a situation that you found yourself involved in. These are some of the most important police interview questions on the exam.
Stay calm under pressure.
During the exam, you may be asked police interview questions in a “dynamic-style” – meaning one question after another after another, often in an interrupted-style, on a specific case scenario. This can be a pressure cooker. It’s essential you remain calm, stay reasoned, and keep composure. That’s what they want to see.
Take the opportunity to learn more.
At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. Take this opportunity to probe more into the department, or perhaps into something that triggered your curiosity during the oral board exam itself. Be proactive; ask some questions.
Avoid negativity.
If you are willing to be negative about a past employer, why would you be any different with the police department? Limit talking negatively about others during the exam. It gives a bad impression. If anything, it just makes you look bad.
Always admit personal faults.
Nobody is perfect and the oral board panel know this. Don’t be afraid to admit any personal faults, now or in the past. What matters is that you can be trusted going forward.
Add facts, figures and personal experience.
By peppering each answer with the latest crime statistics, or figures relating to the department or problem in question, you greatly add value to each answer. Where possible, crowbar in some extra – but relevant – details, such as some personal experience you had, on a recent ride-in with the police department, for example.
Do your research.
There’s nothing worse than an ill-prepared test candidate. If you are not willing to spend the time, why should the department spend time on you? The more you learn about the department, role, and profession, the more you convey to the oral board panel that you are serious.
Dispatcher Interview Questions
FAQ
What questions are asked in a police oral interview?
- Why do you want to work in this industry? …
- Tell us about yourself. …
- What do you think of your previous chief? …
- Why are you leaving your current job? …
- Where do you see yourself in five years? …
- What’s your greatest weakness? …
- What salary are you looking for? …
- Why should I hire you?
How do I pass the police oral board interview?
- 1 – Answer the Questions Honestly. …
- 2 – Learn to Directly Answer Each Question. …
- 3 – Do Your Homework; Now. …
- 4 – Come to the Exam Prepared. …
- 5 – Practice Oral Board Questions. …
- 6 – Never, Ever be Negative.
What happens at a police oral interview?
- Read the room and engage with everyone. Start by introducing yourself.
- Make eye contact. Instead of concentrating only on the person who asked the question, look at everyone as you respond to inquiries.
- Aim for a conversational feel. …
- Be patient.
