Berkeley PD Oral Board Interview

[DNT5thgenCA]

Hello to all the LEOs here. I have my Oral Board with BPD on June 30th. I was hoping a there are a few of you that have conducted an Oral Board that can give some helpful hits and practice questions. I know being honest and up front are key and that I am selling myself to them. I am looking to hopefully get a few practice questions in I can respond to. I want to become a LEO and stand by you all as brother. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[camaroguy2012]

Most will ask your experience, give you some scenario based questions and ask about difficult work or supervisor situations you have been in and any diversity experience you have

[RickD427]

The best advise I can offer is:

1) Be yourself.

2) Convince the panel members that you can think on your feet, and that they can trust your judgment.

3) Don't subscribe to dogmatic positions. Show them that you have independent reasoning skills.

4) Don't use any "Adam-12" talk.

5) Some interview panels will try to "push your buttons." If that's the case, don't take the bait.

6) If you're going for an entry-level position, don't try to impress the board with your expertise, impress them with your aptitude and ability to learn.

7) If all else fails, make the panel members feel good, and make them laugh. It's really hard to torpedo someone who made you laugh. (Serious stuff here).

[P5Ret]

Do your homework, learn as much about the city as you can, no one expects you to know the entire history or to be able to know where such and such is, but you should have a general knowledge of the city. Know who the police chief is, it may or may not get asked. Way back in the early 80's I tested with Butte County, they asked who the sheriff was, I was the first one who knew, it scored points.

[DNT5thgenCA]

Thank you so much for the advice. An other question I ask you all. What made you want to become an officer?

[kjv146]

PM'd you, OP.

[toddytguns]

All of the above is great advice. I would also say to know some basic facts about the city (I.e. Mayor, chief, population, etc.). Try not to show too much nervousness, it's okay to ask to have a question repeated, don't use any lingo in your responses and finally if/when the panel asks if you have any questions sell yourself but if the panel used a term that you didn't understand ask them what does that term mean.