Orange County Sheriff CSA Trainee

[lilaccordrider]

Applied a few months ago, and received my test date a month ago. Test consisted of written, pre-investigative interview, and PAT. Test was this passed Saturday. Passed all 3 and have my Oral Panel Interview tomorrow afternoon. Aside from just telling the truth, is there anything I should know before the interview? Questions I might get asked? Possible scenarios? I feel very confident about the interview tomorrow. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and patience.

Also, reason for applying for this position is so I can get a feel for working the jails to gain some background before actually going toward being a sworn police officer. This is basically my stepping stone toward becoming law enforcement.

Some background about me:

I've always known at a young age that I wanted to do something with my life that was law enforcement related. I've never done drugs...like EVER, not even smoke a joint (something that I am VERY proud of). I am 28 years old with a heavy build, but I'm working on it. Running/working out every other day when/if I get the chance (Work permitting). No run-ins with the law. Last citation received was over about 10 years ago and no accidents on my record.

[mixicus]

This is an entry level position so the basis of the questions will be of a typical HR nature. The questions may be put into a LE setting but the root of the questions are the same as most HR interviews. Expect some version of "give me a strength and a weakness. What are you doing to overcome the weakness", tell us about a conflict and how you resolved it, why do you want this job, what have you done to prepare, what makes you the best candidate,...

Have an opening/intro and a closing statement. You may not get to use them but HAVE them. Formulate your thought THEN speak clearly. Appropriate eye contact. Haircut, shave and suit.

[lilaccordrider]

This is an entry level position so the basis of the questions will be of a typical HR nature. The questions may be put into a LE setting but the root of the questions are the same as most HR interviews. Expect some version of "give me a strength and a weakness. What are you doing to overcome the weakness", tell us about a conflict and how you resolved it, why do you want this job, what have you done to prepare, what makes you the best candidate,...

Have an opening/intro and a closing statement. You may not get to use them but HAVE them. Formulate your thought THEN speak clearly. Appropriate eye contact. Haircut, shave and suit.

Thanks for that! I know it's an entry level position, but I'm just unsure of the questions that might get asked that may throw me for a loop. I believe I'm mentally prepared. I met up with a friend prior to seeing this reply and he basically gave me the same info you just did. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[Spanky8601]

Look at the hiring flyer or the web page announcing the job. A lot of times there will be questions that are listed on that page. Like personal qualifications, what have you done to prepare. Good luck

[18sam2011]

Make eye contact, portray confidence and don't BS anything.

Although the CSA Academy is not as physically intensive as the OCSD basic academy, there is still an element of physical fitness that tends to be "difficult" for some.

Don't take for granted that "it's just the CSA" academy. Make sure you physically prepare for the academy just like you would any other academy.

[lilaccordrider]

Just got home. My appointment was at 1pm today. Unfortunately I didn't make it through the interview and was told that I did not pass. I'm not sure as to why, but they have their reasons I suppose. After the interview, I walked back out with full confidence that I did well. I guess I have to re-evaluate my answers.

I'm going to reapply when they open the position again.

Thanks everyone for your help. It is very much appreciated.

[jdubs71]

Keep looking it will happen. When I had my first interview with a Law Enforcement agency I was still in the Academy. They asked a lot of scenario questions that related to things we had not yet covered in the academy and did horrible. I'll never forget this as long as I live, they stopped the interview early and the facilitator who was a sergeant there told me that I would probably have to interview with 15 agencies before I found a job. Way to boost my confidence a-hole. I prepared more the next time around and had an idea of how the process worked. I ended up landing a job with the agency I interviewed with after that. That was more than 10 years ago and I'm about to lateral to another agency. PM me if you have any questions.

[pitbuljake]

Just got home. My appointment was at 1pm today. Unfortunately I didn't make it through the interview and was told that I did not pass. I'm not sure as to why, but they have their reasons I suppose. After the interview, I walked back out with full confidence that I did well. I guess I have to re-evaluate my answers.

I'm going to reapply when they open the position again.

Thanks everyone for your help. It is very much appreciated.

Don't give up, you'll do better once you have a few interviews under your belt.


My first oral interview (for a reserve officer position) was a complete disaster. When I showed up at my scheduled date/time they acted surprised, as if I wasn't even scheduled.

My interviewers consisted of a uniformed sergeant and two plain clothes officers. They tore me apart, at one point yelling at me because I told them I would report my training officer (a 20 year veteran officer) for stealing something from a convenience store while on duty.
I left that interview feeling disgusted at how unfairly they treated me.

My second interview with another agency was awesome, I scored nearly 100 percent. I was subsequently hired and worked there for 10 years as a reserve officer.

[lilaccordrider]

Keep looking it will happen. When I had my first interview with a Law Enforcement agency I was still in the Academy. They asked a lot of scenario questions that related to things we had not yet covered in the academy and did horrible. I'll never forget this as long as I live, they stopped the interview early and the facilitator who was a sergeant there told me that I would probably have to interview with 15 agencies before I found a job. Way to boost my confidence a-hole. I prepared more the next time around and had an idea of how the process worked. I ended up landing a job with the agency I interviewed with after that. That was more than 10 years ago and I'm about to lateral to another agency. PM me if you have any questions.

Wow!! What a way to ruin any hope you had at that point in time. I'm glad things worked out for the best the next go around!! Thank you so much for your kind words and the opportunity to reach out to you with any questions. I do truly appreciate your time and patience with me.

Don't give up, you'll do better once you have a few interviews under your belt.


My first oral interview (for a reserve officer position) was a complete disaster. When I showed up at my scheduled date/time they acted surprised, as if I wasn't even scheduled.

My interviewers consisted of a uniformed sergeant and two plain clothes officers. They tore me apart, at one point yelling at me because I told them I would report my training officer (a 20 year veteran officer) for stealing something from a convenience store while on duty.
I left that interview feeling disgusted at how unfairly they treated me.

My second interview with another agency was awesome, I scored nearly 100 percent. I was subsequently hired and worked there for 10 years as a reserve officer.

I like to always be early and today I was there about 40 mins before my scheduled interview time. My motto is that if I'm early, I'm on time; if I'm on time, I'm late. I was interviewed by a Sergeant, a Deputy, and a CSA Officer. The deputy was the one who I met first and escorted me to the interview room where I met the Sergeant and the CSA Officer. The deputy and CSA Officer seemed very nice and I almost felt like I had passed the interview just looking at them both and reading their body language or perhaps it was just me being hopeful. The Sergeant on the other hand didn't seem as inviting to the interview, but I was very polite when I got in. Sir, yes, sir and Ma'am, yes, Ma'am the entire duration. I also didn't sit until I was invited to do so. As nervous as I was, I tried to sound as confident with my answers to the best of my ability. I know my second go around I will be able to handle it much better.

Thank you, very much for sharing your story. Actually, thank you all for sharing what you have to me. As I read each reply, I try to picture you guys there.

For those of you who are currently employed by law enforcement agencies across the nation, I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you for doing what you do; I know it isn't easy, but someone's gotta do it. May you all come home every night after each shift to your families. Maybe one day I will be able to join this family with you.

[Samuelx]

Hey LAR,

If LE is what you really want to do (research it well), then keep at it and don't put all your eggs in one basket (apply everywhere). I got turned down or DQed or failed out of a few processes before I got hired/sworn (2nd time through with my current agency).

I distinctly remember being told that I had failed an oral interview with Monterey Park PD. Panel of three guys (IIRC one LT and two Sgts). One told me I couldn't possibly be serious about a LE career because I had never taken any AJ/CJ classes. One gave me a hard time because I had hand written my application/history statement (I don't remember seeing any directions/requirements to have it typed and I hand wrote it because that's what my current agency had me do with ours).

At the time, I had been a civilian employee with my current department for 1.5 years, working the front desk of a station (answering regular calls, 911 calls, handling counter traffic, inputting calls & a smidge of dispatching, etc) - the last guy told me that in those 1.5 years, I couldn't have learned anything about LE work. It was pretty adversarial from the get go (and I had acted/dressed/talked professionally and appropriately).

It took me two tries, 5 years apart, to finally get hired on with my current agency. It took me 11.5 years of consistent volunteering and 3 testing processes (including being passed over several times by far less capable/knowledgeable people) to finally get my dream job on my department. I appreciate being hired and being where I'm at far more than most and I'm gonna continue to do everything I can to prove I was worthy of the initial recommendation for hire and to be an asset for my partners and our department.

Use every negative to fuel your fire/motivation. Take this time to prep yourself physically and mentally - when the call comes, you shouldn't be concerned about you only have X amount of time left to get ready, you should already be ready. Prove all the naysayers wrong.

[AssemblyPointe]

Orange County Sheriff's Reserve

While the initial question to be addressed here was posted several years ago, I find the responses provide valuable insight.
I stumbled upon this as I am in my 2nd iteration of the Orange County Reserve process. The first time out, I passed the physical/trigger pull/written test/oral's and passed on to my interview. One note of criticism, amongst many, during the interview, noted by another in this thread, was that I ledgibly printed my application (the paperwork said "legibly write or type") the Investigator tore into me on that topic-stating that "everyone else types their application answers". Many other criticisms followed. I was a bit embarrassed as his comments did not reflect who I know myself to be as a professional and when suggested to withdraw my application and start over, I was all but willing to do so.
The second time I attended the initial testing, despite having previously passed, they failed me on the oral interview. I was told "I missed by 2 points and to return next quarter." Quite disheartening! I had done more to prepare this time around than last time (civilian ride-alongs, NRA Handgun instructor certification. . ). So my search now brings me to 2 questions:
1) is it part of the process to reject and see if we come back stronger if at all?
2) Now I am sitting for CPR qualification and a course called "Guard Card": does anyone have any additional ideas of what I could do to prepare?
Thank you in advance!!!

[P5Ret]

While the initial question to be addressed here was posted several years ago, I find the responses provide valuable insight.
I stumbled upon this as I am in my 2nd iteration of the Orange County Reserve process. The first time out, I passed the physical/trigger pull/written test/oral's and passed on to my interview. One note of criticism, amongst many, during the interview, noted by another in this thread, was that I ledgibly printed my application (the paperwork said "legibly write or type") the Investigator tore into me on that topic-stating that "everyone else types their application answers". Many other criticisms followed. I was a bit embarrassed as his comments did not reflect who I know myself to be as a professional and when suggested to withdraw my application and start over, I was all but willing to do so.
The second time I attended the initial testing, despite having previously passed, they failed me on the oral interview. I was told "I missed by 2 points and to return next quarter." Quite disheartening! I had done more to prepare this time around than last time (civilian ride-alongs, NRA Handgun instructor certification. . ). So my search now brings me to 2 questions:
1) is it part of the process to reject and see if we come back stronger if at all?
2) Now I am sitting for CPR qualification and a course called "Guard Card": does anyone have any additional ideas of what I could do to prepare?
Thank you in advance!!!

What academy modules have you taken? A guard card isn't going to do you much good. Honestly I think when you withdrew your initial application you shot yourself in the foot. It was a test, to see how you would react, are you going to stand up or are you going to roll over and play dead, and you fell into the trap. Once you opened that door, they kicked it all the way open and started piling on more and more to gauge your reaction.

You need to sell them on who you are, not the classes you have taken. Honestly the ones you have mentioned here, aren't going to help you land the position you want. They may help after when you want to move into something more in the agency, but to get hired on not so much.

[AssemblyPointe]

Thank you for this insight! It's interesting this process!