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LEO pointers

huntinstud101

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 19, 2010
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I have an interview for a cadet position that would transition to full time sworn officer. Does anyone have any last minute pointers for a Monday interview at 10:00am? I'll take anything and everything obvious or not.

Thanks

Pat
 
Be confident, but not overbearing or arrogant. Be honest, even if it doesn't sound like something a movie cop might say. It's OK to say you don't know the answer to something, but trust your instincts also. Take a moment, don't rush your answers, it's your time to speak. Ask them some questions when they ask you to. Always use Sir and Ma'am, or their Rank and name. (That's the way you should treat the public too) Good luck.
 
Ask if you will have access to the contraband room and inquire if they have cameras.
 
Dont over think the questions, give a complete answer and then STOP TALKING. Its ok to sit there silently after you answer questions while they take notes. Some people will continue talking out of nerviousness and hang themselves. Read up on the history of the department, know the names of the Capt, Lt., Sgt. ect., any other important stats/info on the department ex. Mission/Values. If they give you any material to read before hand you should probbably do your best to remember it for the interview. Keep in mind that they want to know about you more than anything else, you should have all the answers.
Good luck.
 
If you haven't done so already, go get a thin blue line tattoo on your bicep, they will respect you for it. Definitely wear a pair of aviator sunglasses and DO NOT take them off for the interview, they will respect you for it. You also should have started your 'stach prior to filling out the application. Nothing says you are cop material better than a bitchin 'stach.
 
Glad to know who I can go to for help. Thanks for the help guys, for those of you who contributed.
 
LEO pointers

Just be yourself. Be respectful and be honest. You'll do fine.

Most interview candidates have only one channel; Send. It pays to have them see you switch to the second Chanel: Receive.

It pays to also listen to and watch them, if you have the time. Don't dismiss any clues that the department might not be a good for for you but keep them to yourself.

The rest will take of itself.
 
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Definitely some awesome advice so far. If you've made it as far as the 'board' them you have a reasonably good shot. If this is the initial one-on-one interview with the backgrounds guy, then you have a ways to go yet. Honesty pays dividends. I cant stress that enough. If you go into any of these interviews thinking they dont already know the answer to the questions or thinking "they would never have found out about THAT', Then do yourself a favor and withdraw now. They already know.

Think about the most embarrassing thing you've done and expect a question about it. Expect a question about something you forgot you did. Expect to be hammered about something trivial and stupid. Its just to see how you handle the uncomfortable and stressful.

Good luck. Its an interesting ride.
 
Go in screaming..."I wanna kill". #:<)
 
Sign up for classes at the local community college.
 
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Be honest, don't tell them what you think they want to here. Tell them the truth.

Look professional, don't try to look like some swat/Rambo want-to-be. Remember, you're job will be to bring people to justice, you are not justice. That's the attitude you should have and the attitude you need to present WHILE being honest.
 
Dont over think the questions, give a complete answer and then STOP TALKING. Its ok to sit there silently after you answer questions while they take notes. Some people will continue talking out of nerviousness and hang themselves. Read up on the history of the department, know the names of the Capt, Lt., Sgt. ect., any other important stats/info on the department ex. Mission/Values. If they give you any material to read before hand you should probbably do your best to remember it for the interview. Keep in mind that they want to know about you more than anything else, you should have all the answers.
Good luck.

This is good advice. You might also Google the department in question and find out about related current events (high profile cases, community outreach stuff, terminations, etc) to use as examples and talking points. Have some questions for them because they will ask at the end. And for god sakes, wear a suit or at the bare minimum slacks and a tie.
 
Tell them you've been watching episodes of cops and want to be a full blown member of SWAT right out of academy. Immediately mention you are a member of the hide they will recognize your status of a Tier 1 backy' chewiin stone cold killin MFer. Tell them you want to drive fast and carry a gun and hit dirty pot smokin hipsters with your baton. bring donuts for everyone.
Joking...
Suit and tie, shake everyone's hand ( firm but don't crush hands) look them in the eye and be able to explain your answers and stick to your guns when they ask if you would change your answer.

Here's and old post http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...enforcement-leos-suggestions-appreciated.html
Check out officer.com there's plenty of related posts there as well
 
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I *hope* he was posting that for next Monday, not 1 1/2 hrs before his board. Otherwise his lack of preparation may become a topic of discussion...
 
This is not my first round of interviews, but it is my first with this municipality. I was looking for anything that I havnt encountered in my other interviews. I was coming off of a 16 hour shift and going Into the interview. This post was last minute but I was prepared and confident.