Becoming LEO, Need HELP ASAP

[rollaspeed1]

Just remember, the people who do the oral boards have heard the same cliches and answers over and over from other applicants. Be original in your answers, for example: "Why do you want to be a police officer", Everyone, and I mean everyone answers the same way "because I want to do good for the community". They get tired of hearing that crap. They know the draw to L.E. is primarily the stability of the job and the benefits offered.

Try answering "I believe law enforcement is an admirable profession which offers numerous benefits and personal growth to those who wish to succeed as an officer as I do, while working with the community as a whole to maintain a safe, enjoyable place to reside, work, or visit." Sounds a bit different right?

I remember one question in the scenario portion: you are off duty, in plainclothes, concealed weapon on you, inside a bank, in line, when a guy goes up to the counter and announces a holdup, what do you do?

Most answers would be to draw your weapon and badge announce yourself as a police officer. Wrong....Correct answer is do nothing until the guy leaves the bank then with caution follow to observe a getaway vehicle and direction of escape, engaging is the last action you should take.

Good luck, and as it was written earlier, if you can afford it, enter an academy on your dime, get certified and be one step up on a lot others. Or look into other localities or states.

GREAT INPUT! I'll start using this on the upcoming board!

[1911su16b870]

This is the logical way to go, but I don't have the means to quit working for 6 months and at the same time pay $6K for the academy. Otherwise, I would. It IS the right way.

Look into an extended reserve academy that goes for a year but is 2 to 3 days a week at night and weekends. You will have gearing up costs and even when you are with a PD, you still buy your own gear. Do not be discouraged, where there is a will, there is a way...find your way.

[CBR_rider]

Just remember, the people who do the oral boards have heard the same cliches and answers over and over from other applicants. Be original in your answers, for example: "Why do you want to be a police officer", Everyone, and I mean everyone answers the same way "because I want to do good for the community". They get tired of hearing that crap. They know the draw to L.E. is primarily the stability of the job and the benefits offered.

Try answering "I believe law enforcement is an admirable profession which offers numerous benefits and personal growth to those who wish to succeed as an officer as I do, while working with the community as a whole to maintain a safe, enjoyable place to reside, work, or visit." Sounds a bit different right?

Try to go back and think of the most common questions you were asked and come up with some creative answers so you can stand out from the other applicants.

I remember one question in the scenario portion: you are off duty, in plainclothes, concealed weapon on you, inside a bank, in line, when a guy goes up to the counter and announces a holdup, what do you do?

Most answers would be to draw your weapon and badge announce yourself as a police officer. Wrong....Correct answer is do nothing until the guy leaves the bank then with caution follow to observe a getaway vehicle and direction of escape, engaging is the last action you should take.

This happened in Michigan where the officer drew his gun to thwart the robbery, unknown to him there was another bad guy covering the door and he walked up and shot the officer in the head, then once again in the head while he was on the floor. His eight year old son got to watch the entire thing.

This scenario was the downfall to a lot of applicants who appeared to be to gung ho during the oral boards.

Good luck, and as it was written earlier, if you can afford it, enter an academy on your dime, get certified and be one step up on a lot others. Or look into other localities or states.

I think your scenario question illustrates the point that those on the oral board frequently choose questions/answers based on what THEY want to hear. They can frequently become much more subjective based on the board member's opinions of the answer as opposed to an objective answer. I seriously disagree (if true) that the only correct answer to your scenario is "do nothing" until the holdup portion of the crime is over. Buuut, whether or not I agree is irrelevant because I was not on that oral board and my thoughts are not the "correct" answer to those asking the questions.

To the OP, I think you are on the right track by buying resources to help you improve your skills. You may be pretty good at interviewing, but I'm sure you can improve (we all can) and maybe this time you'll have the slight edge you need to land a job. If this is the career you really want, keep at it and soon enough you will have the job.

[Hot Holster]

I think your scenario question illustrates the point that those on the oral board frequently choose questions/answers based on what THEY want to hear. They can frequently become much more subjective based on the board member's opinions of the answer as opposed to an objective answer. I seriously disagree (if true) that the only correct answer to your scenario is "do nothing" until the holdup portion of the crime is over. Buuut, whether or not I agree is irrelevant because I was not on that oral board and my thoughts are not the "correct" answer to those asking the questions.

To the OP, I think you are on the right track by buying resources to help you improve your skills. You may be pretty good at interviewing, but I'm sure you can improve (we all can) and maybe this time you'll have the slight edge you need to land a job. If this is the career you really want, keep at it and soon enough you will have the job.

Not to derail the thread, but the reason that question has been asked many times to applicants, was to weed out those who would fail to assess the entire situation before jumping into action, aka the gung ho type.

Had the officer who was killed, waited until the bad guys left the bank to take action, or at the point he or others were in danger of their lives, he might still be alive and still be a father to his son. Monday morning quarterbacking perhaps but a reality.

[rollaspeed1]

Not to derail the thread, but the reason that Monday morning quarterbacking perhaps but a reality.

Both of you have a point. And you are NOT DERAILING the thread because the only way we (or I) can learn is through the differences of opinions.

Now I am contemplating paying my way through the academy... Looked it up, $5K + no job for 6 months.

[NineteenElev3n]

Look into an extended reserve academy that goes for a year but is 2 to 3 days a week at night and weekends. You will have gearing up costs and even when you are with a PD, you still buy your own gear. Do not be discouraged, where there is a will, there is a way...find your way.

This worked for me while holding a full-time job. I was unaffiliated and paid for my own one year extended academy. It was very challenging and exhausting with keeping up with the academy while meeting the demands of life in general. Extended academies are great, but do a modular academy if you can. We had some academy mates who failed out four weeks short of graduating after attending 11 months with nothing to show for.

Getting in this profession isn't easy, but it is well worth the effort, blood, sweat, and tears; then you have FTO; and then you have probation to pass.....well, you get the picture. Good luck to you!

[infamous1979]

Finish your degree

[djack12]

Failing oral boards or not being selected is part of the process for some. When applying research the department and get a good idea of it as well as how many guys they are looking to pick up.

You have to realize that most departments in California have not been hiring in big quanities for at least 5 years. I know of some departments who are hiring 1 guy and have 80+ applications. They may interview you but they also got 20 other guys interviewing for the position that have 10 years experience. You are not getting selected no matter how good your answers are.

There are also a ton of academy graduates out there ready for FTO. That means the dept has a shorter time to get an officer on the street as opposed to a trainee who spends 12 months in the hiring process, 6 months academy and then FTO. 2 years vs 6 months.

My advice is to keep up the good work. Best bet is to go for big metro PDs or larger Sheriff's depts if you are looking to get sponsored through.

Look on the POST website for openings.

[John M]

FIrst,, Regarding oral boards,, remember to tell them what they want to hear. If you catch the neighboring Chief drunk driving you will arrest him.. etc..

Second,, The fact you speak Russian is huge. If you can read or write it, all the better. If you make it to an oral board make sure you sell yourself.

Third, take practice tests, and do research on what type of questions are asked at oral boards, many Departments ask similiar questions, many are scenario based, others want to know what you know about their Dept, City and or County.

I heard a Stat years ago that said out of all the people who take LE tests, 1 out of 70 will make it thru and pass FTO.

Good luck.

[Tac380]

Oral Boards Can Be Tricky

I am actually good at interviewing in general. But I wonder if my answers do not coincide with what the departments want to hear?

Like it was said earlier you may have the right answers but the competition is tough. You might want to consider Oakland, LA or another large dept. and look to lateral 5 years down the road.

I stumbled for a while on oral boards. For a correctional officer position I was asked if I would turn a fellow officer in for taking an apple or a roll of TP home. I said no to these but would turn in for something bigger....WRONG ANSWER...Turn the guy in for anything and everything was the answer they wanted. (I found out from a deputy who personally knew one of the interviewers and was told that's why I failed) If you pick and choose what is important and what is not it can be used against you. Start turning your back to small stuff and them slowly turning your back to bigger stuff.

The bank robber scenario is another reason people fail, the answer they give put the public in danger makes the recruit look like he wants to be Rambo. Dept don't want that. One officer can put more people at risk doing the "FREEZE POLICE" Many banks don't allow employees to hit the alarm until the robbers have left the building for the safety reasons. The money is insured.

If you know any LEO's personally they may be able to help you with questions from the oral boards. Take the questions that have been asked and try to find out what that dept policy is for that scenario might be and learn from it.

Don't give up, it takes time...

[Tac380]

Another thing I was told by a sgt who conducted interviews was he didn't look at the suit worn, he looked at the shoes. Many people will buy a new suit and not shoes. He also said to get a manicure even for men. It told him how your personal hygiene was and what to expect as an officer.

I don't agree with everything he said but buffed and polished shoes aren't hard to do. A manicure for $15, hey if that's what it takes then its worth it to score extra points with people like him and move on to the next phase then its worth it.

[RedVines]

Which part of California are you in and how big are the agencies you interviewed with?

[jrock]

Your still young enough for the army...even the cutoff for seals is 27 or 28, with waivers beyond.
My cousin became a seal at 27, still on the teams and he's over 40!
border patrol hiring will be huge if republicans take the wh ('16).
I passed oral boards for bp...same stuff, theyre lookin to weed out the gun ho but at same time u gta show that you'd have your mates back BEFORE any regulations.

[rollaspeed1]

Which part of California are you in and how big are the agencies you interviewed with?

I am in SF Bay Area. I've applied to a number of smaller agencies hiring 1-5 candidates. Santa Clara, Mountain View, Fremont, Alameda, Pleasant Hill, Plus like 2 more I can't remember. I am waiting for SF to open recruitment sometime in November. Due to personal choice, I excluded San Jose and Oakland.

Another thing I was told by a sgt who conducted interviews was he didn't look at the suit worn, he looked at the shoes. Many people will buy a new suit and not shoes. He also said to get a manicure even for men.

I do all that. Without looking 100% why would one bother to expect anything? But I know they are out there...

Your still young enough for the army...
I passed oral boards for bp...same stuff, theyre lookin to weed out the gun ho but at same time u gta show that you'd have your mates back BEFORE any regulations.

Thought about it, can't do army.

Btw, just reading and answering these clears up the picture for me. Thanks

[rollaspeed1]

So it seems that since joining the military its not an option for me, the only REAL advantage I can get is to put myself through the academy. I'm leaning that way now. Any other suggestions?