Preparing for a promotional interview can be one of the most stressful times in your law enforcement career, largely because of the oral board interview. While there is no way to know which specific questions you’ll be asked, there are only so many types of questions that will be asked. Knowing what types of questions you can expect in your promotional interview can go a long way to helping you prepare, so here they are:
Supervisory and Leadership Concepts This is the most common type of promotional interview question, and is really the core focus of the entire interview. These questions are your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of what it means to be a supervisor and how leaders function in your work environment.
Tactical or Emergency Operations These questions are designed to examine your thought process. It is important that you understand incident command systems and the management of complex and critical incidents. Be prepared to logically lists the steps you would take as a supervisor of a tactical or emergency operation.
Personnel Issues During your tenure as a supervisor, you are sure to be faced with any number of personnel issues, such as a subordinate’s poor performance or a challenge to your authority. Be ready to answer each personnel issue question as though you are already a supervisor. Be inquisitive about what is causing the problem, and be decisive about how to deal with it.
Tough Choices These interview questions present you with a moral or ethical dilemma, often presented in the form of a scenario that will force you to make a touch choice. There is not always a right answer to these questions. Instead, they are designed to test your reasoning ability. Discuss your options and the reasoning behind your choice.
Hot Topics There is no shortage of current affairs that you should keep yourself apprised of, especially in regards to law enforcement. Hot Topic questions give you an opportunity to express your opinion on one of these issues. Be constructive, and remember that as a law enforcement officer, you serve the public.
Closing Comments Do you have anything you’d like to add before the interview is concluded? You should. Have a strong, well-prepared answer to this type of question. Recap key points from your introduction, bring up bragging points that you did not otherwise get to highlight, and remind the panelists what you sets you apart from your competition.
About TopSpot Training Nothing is more important to TopSpot Training than your success in the promotional process. TopSpot Training offers hundreds of training videos– featuring real law enforcement officers answering difficult oral board questions– and a comprehensive, easy-to-use training curriculum. For more information on the promotional interview process and how to increase your chances of success, visit topspottraining.com.
- How do you keep track of the daily activities of an entire police department? …
- How would you handle a dispute among police officers? …
- Why do you want to be a police sergeant? …
- How do you stay updated on new laws, regulations, police methods, procedures, and techniques?
“Motivation” Answer Demo to a Police Sergeant Interview Question
Steps to becoming a police sergeant
Becoming a police sergeant typically has a straightforward path where you gain experience and qualifications to help you lead others. Follow the steps below if you wish to become a police sergeant.
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Most hiring boards require you to have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to qualify for police sergeant positions. Even if your police department doesn’t require a formal degree, getting a bachelor’s can help you expand your knowledge and identify yourself as a top candidate for leadership roles. You can get your bachelor’s degree before applying to the police academy or attend school part-time while working as an officer. During the bachelor’s degree program, expect to take classes related to criminal law, law enforcement, the American court system and crime causation theories.
2. Become a police officer
All police sergeants work as police officers before earning a promotion to sergeant. The requirements for becoming a police officer vary depending on where you live. Some departments require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, while others require only a high school diploma. Regardless of your department’s entrance standards, you need to complete training at a police academy.
At a policy academy, you learn how to work as a police officer. You learn about local laws and procedures, how to conduct criminal investigations and how to use firearms safely. Other topics include first aid, self-defense and basic computer training. Police academy training also includes physical training, where attendees must meet certain physical thresholds to graduate.
Upon graduating from a police academy, you can then apply for jobs as a police officer. Your ability to gain a position depends primarily on your grades, training record, aptitude tests, job availability and interview performance.
3. Explore specialty posts
To become a police sergeant, most departments require five to ten years of experience as a police officer. During this time, it’s a good idea to explore specialty posts within the department. Doing so gives you wider experience, which is helpful when applying to become a sergeant. Some specialty posts include working with the K-9 unit or as a training officer.
4. Apply for open sergeant positions
Once you have sufficient experience and a sergeant position opens, you can apply for the job. The hiring board then considers your record as an officer, years of experience, formal education, reputation with colleagues and your different areas of expertise within the department. If the hiring board decides to hire someone else, seek feedback on the areas you can improve for the next time a position opens.
What Are The Roles Of A Police Supervisor?
The interviewer wants to know if you understand the job description or know what is expected from you.
Tip #1: Clearly outline the roles of a police supervisor.
Tip #2: Go straight and to the point.
Example: A police supervisor coordinates handling cases and investigations and oversees the cases to ensure that they are done according to the law. He/ she defines the success of the force and evaluates any problem that may come up in investigating a case.
How would you handle a team member breaking a law?
Hiring boards like to ask moral dilemma questions while interviewing police sergeants to determine how they would act in difficult situations. Because sergeants have significant influence over a department, its vital that they have a strong moral code and properly address situations where officers break the law. In your answer, address the importance of promoting honesty and accountability on your team.
Example: “My response would depend heavily on the law being broken. For a minor infraction, I would speak to the subordinate, give them a warning and develop an improvement plan. Further infractions would then result in immediate discipline, including suspension, probation or termination where necessary. For more serious crimes, I would immediately suspend the officer until the department completes a thorough investigation. This would not only protect the department but ensure appropriate discipline based on the facts of the situation.
Why Are You Interested In This Role?
By now, you should know that this question is asked in ninety percent of interviews. The employer wants to know if your motive is in line with the job opening. Therefore, answer this question wisely.
Tip #1: Your reason should not be all about you.
Tip 32: Tell the interviewer that you can be of help to the department.
Example: Why Should We Hire You? 5 Best Answ…
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For the last twenty years in the police force, I have worked to better several communities. I believe in giving back to the community through my work at the force. This role will help me improve on what I have been doing for the last two decades. Also, I am passionate about my work, and the job requirements described me fully.
What do you think is the most important responsibility of a police sergeant?
Police sergeants have many responsibilities. While they are all important, the hiring board wants to know about your priorities so they can learn about how youd make decisions if hired. Provide a straightforward answer and justify why you think that responsibility is especially important to show the interviewer about your thought process. You can also include information on how you would approach the task you chose.
Example: “My biggest priority would be community engagement. During my time as a patrol officer, I saw the positive influence of strong community engagement and interpersonal relationships with citizens. Being able to have productive interactions with community members makes every other aspect of law enforcement more effective. I would encourage more engagement from the officers and develop programs to help integrate the department more fully into the local community.”
Why Do You Think You Are The Best Candidate For This Role?
The employer wants to know what makes you unique and convinces you that you are the most qualified candidate.
Tip #1: You need to highlight some of your qualities.
Tip #2: Talk bout some of the things that you believe make you unique
Example: I have been in the police force for the past two decades. I have seen and led some of the biggest criminal takedowns in my area of operations. I have also taken the time and educated myself on matters touching on police work. I have also been in several leadership roles and boards.
FAQ
How do you answer a police sergeant interview question?
What makes a great police sergeant?
How do I prepare for a police promotion interview?
- 1) Opening Statements. …
- 2) Bragging Points. …
- 3) Supervisory and Leadership Concepts. …
- 4) Policy and Procedure. …
- 5) Tactical or Emergency Operations. …
- 6) Personnel Issues. …
- 7) Tough Choices.
