| AMERICAN POLICE BEAT April 2004 Volume XI, Number 4 How to Give Yourself a Good Shot at the Job: Don't Shoot Yourself in the Foot before You Even Get to the Interview by Richard B. Weinblatt (p. 51) |
Aspiring officers and lateral applicants seeking to change agencies have to run through
the sometimes scary and confusing screening process.
Law enforcement executives regularly see errors that knock people out of contention.
Here’s some advice that will help you get hired as a police officer, deputy sheriff, or other
law enforcement professional.
Applications are designed to find out as much information about the candidate as
possible. The aim is also to see if you can follow directions, as this is a trait you’ll need
to do on the job.
Type (if allowed) or legibly print the application in black ink. Tell the truth and answer
the questions completely.
Make sure that all requested materials are turned into the hiring agency by the deadline
and in the format that they request. Packets that are incomplete will be removed from
consideration. Among the items that may be needed are high school and college
transcripts, military discharge documents, and a birth certificate.
Most agencies provide the performance standards that they expect you to meet during
the physical assessment portion of the testing process. These are quantifiable goals
that are easily self-assessed.
These standards should be attempted way before the test date to ensure that adequate
time exists to work at hitting those performance marks. Some agencies even provide
remedial training beforehand.
A particular weakness for many people is the running part of the physical assessment.
Do notshow up on the testing day with a police logo t-shirt, particularly one that may
have a slogan on it. Some of the authorities that day may be on the interview panel and
will remember a shirt that they find offensive.
Whether it is a structured oral board or less structured chief’s interview, show up before
the scheduled time. Dress conservatively and pay attention to personal hygiene issues.
Make eye contact, sit up straight, and avoid all nervous movement. Be polite and
respectful with the interviewer. These are the people who can help you get the badge
you seek.
Richard B. Weinblatt is the chief of the Randleman, NC, Police Department.
the sometimes scary and confusing screening process.
Law enforcement executives regularly see errors that knock people out of contention.
Here’s some advice that will help you get hired as a police officer, deputy sheriff, or other
law enforcement professional.
Applications are designed to find out as much information about the candidate as
possible. The aim is also to see if you can follow directions, as this is a trait you’ll need
to do on the job.
Type (if allowed) or legibly print the application in black ink. Tell the truth and answer
the questions completely.
Make sure that all requested materials are turned into the hiring agency by the deadline
and in the format that they request. Packets that are incomplete will be removed from
consideration. Among the items that may be needed are high school and college
transcripts, military discharge documents, and a birth certificate.
Most agencies provide the performance standards that they expect you to meet during
the physical assessment portion of the testing process. These are quantifiable goals
that are easily self-assessed.
These standards should be attempted way before the test date to ensure that adequate
time exists to work at hitting those performance marks. Some agencies even provide
remedial training beforehand.
A particular weakness for many people is the running part of the physical assessment.
Do notshow up on the testing day with a police logo t-shirt, particularly one that may
have a slogan on it. Some of the authorities that day may be on the interview panel and
will remember a shirt that they find offensive.
Whether it is a structured oral board or less structured chief’s interview, show up before
the scheduled time. Dress conservatively and pay attention to personal hygiene issues.
Make eye contact, sit up straight, and avoid all nervous movement. Be polite and
respectful with the interviewer. These are the people who can help you get the badge
you seek.
Richard B. Weinblatt is the chief of the Randleman, NC, Police Department.
| For contracting of articles, media commentary, or other matters, contact: richard@policearticles.com |
| policearticles.com |
Located just North of Orlando,
Florida, Richard B. Weinblatt
provides professional article
writing services and expert
commentary for the media on a
variety of criminal justice topics
Florida, Richard B. Weinblatt
provides professional article
writing services and expert
commentary for the media on a
variety of criminal justice topics
| FAST FACT "Reserve Reports" by Richard B. Weinblatt, a regular column in LAW AND ORDER: THE MAGAZINE FOR POLICE MANAGEMENT, ran for a decade (1991-2001). |
| FAST FACT Richard Weinblatt's March-April 1997 SHERIFF MAGAZINE article "Sheriffs Take on Rural Patrol Challenge" featured him on the cover. |
| FAST FACT The 250+ page book "Reserve Law Enforcement in the United States" by Richard B. Weinblatt, was published in 1993 |
This website contains criminal justice articles written by former Police Chief and Criminal Justice Professor/Police Academy Manager Richard B. Weinblatt |
