The police psychological assessment interview seems most difficult to every candidate. To help you prepare for this interview, we have answered the top 25 expected and most frequently asked questions that will help you to pass this interview with flying colors.
1. Why Do You Want To Work For The Police Department?
I want to work in a police department to protect and serve my community. I have read about the department’s values and goals that align closely with my values and career goals. I have good intentions about joining the Police department. I believe that I would be a valuable asset to your team. I want to play my part in the safety and security of my nation. In addition, I want to contribute to the work of this department that you have earned.
2. What Are Some Of The Most Significant Personality Traits A Police Officer Needs To Be Successful?
I believe a police officer should have certain qualities to be successful in this role. First of all, physical and mental health is substantial. A police officer should be healthy and fit to maintain a confident posture and vigorous gestures. He should have emotional balance, empathy, and negotiation skills to perform better in critical situations. Learning from a bad experience and adopting new ways of law and order is also very important for this role. As a police officer, I would also love to work with integrity and compassion.
3. Why Do You Want To Become A Police Officer?
I want to be the best police officer because I believe we should cut the root causes of crimes to ensure a safe and sound society.
I have always wished to do something practical to protect a society that has given me a lot. I find the police job can be rewarding with practical actions and better than mere words. I want goodness to win over evil. I will protect innocent people from bad events with my fast detection and training abilities.
4. What Makes You The Best Candidate For This Role?
My qualification, training, and experience with a background in psychology make me well-suited for this post. I can understand what motivates an individual to commit a crime and how I can help him avoid committing more crimes. My experience working with different people who committed crimes has enabled me to interact better with the criminals I arrest.
I am well familiar with the rules, policies, and procedures that can help me to protect my community and colleagues. Moreover, I have a diligent work ethic. So I can work perfectly on long night shifts. I am always attentive to details and the rules and regulations of our department.
5. What Inspired You To Apply For This Position In Police Department?
I have always been looking for a police officer job in my city. This department has a sound reputation in the community. I read about this job vacancy in a newspaper. I find this is the best match for my qualifications, skills, and passion. I am passionate about helping the community and handling crime to maintain peace for everyone.
Therefore, I find this opportunity to gather experience and broaden my training horizon in the big city, where crime numbers are increasing.
6. What Will You Do If Someone Tries To Bribe You?
I am very strict with my moral values. I always try my best to maintain the law order. But if someone tries to bribe me to remove the charges, I will precede the case without falling into such an attempt.
I will make sure that nobody spreads corruption. On the other hand, if anyone offers me money or any other favor, I will take strict action to get them arrested and punished for these crooked trials. As a result, nobody will try to bribe any officer in the future.
7. How Do You Determine Whether A Suspect Is Lying?
I am skilled in judging deception. My knowledge of psychology and human behavior helps me solve such cases. I always use some legend points while analyzing body language and verbal clues.
First, I observe his overall appearance and behavior. If I find him nervous or anxious, that could be a sign that he is lying. I also notice his eye movements and facial expressions. If someone is telling a lie, he will not have direct eye contact with me. He fidgets with his hands or feet if he is the sinner. It indicates that he is uncomfortable with what he is trying to say.
8. What Are The Roles Of A Police Officer?
The most prominent role of police officers is to provide safety to the public and the community. An honest police officer always performs his duties well. He strives hard to maintain law and order in the area. He gives traffic directions and patrols in areas like streets and colonies to deal with the offenders and lawbreakers. He can track down and investigate criminals. With his problem-solving skills, he resolves disputes. He is always prepared to face challenges, attend the accidents and overcome security issues. He thinks of himself as a public servant and is passionate about serving his people.
9. What Is Your Process For Evaluating A Crime Scene?
I use my evaluation skills and a step-by-step process to gather information before interpreting anything. I examine the crime scene and observe the physical evidence. I also see the victim’s body and check the physical examination report to know about injuries and wounds. After that, I will investigate the people who witnessed the crime. I try to determine the behavior patterns of the suspect. In the end, I discuss with my team and review my notes to interpret a final statement.
10. Describe Briefly About Your Experience.
I have worked in various reputable police stations as a police guard and police detective. I have experience in theft prevention and security dealing fields that helped me interact with different people daily. I have worked for more than three years in law enforcement departments. I also worked with investigation officers and had the privilege of assisting a police officer in a criminal case.
11. What Would You Do If You Suspected One Of Your Colleagues Was Tampering With Evidence At Crime Scenes?
In previous years, I have worked with a criminal psychologist and other law enforcement officers on your integrity and commitment to the law for collecting evidence of criminal cases. I had never faced any tampering. But if I find my colleague is tampering with evidence data, I will immediately report my seniors. I know that interference with evidence is a severe crime that consequence jail time for my coworker. However, I would ensure to secure our work with its accuracy.
12. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Should A Police Officer Acquire?
A police officer should have solid strategies and a brave mindset. A good decision-maker with an enthusiastic and intelligent spirit is crucial for this position. The job demands having a plan B and C to deal with any situation. A police officer should be able to meet all the challenges. He should be vigilant and a quick decision-maker to avoid quarrelsome attitudes towards public matters.
13. How Well Do You Think You Can Get Along With Other Police Officers And Criminal Psychologists?
The police department has many different personalities than any other workplace. I can get along with other police officers and criminal psychologists, especially when working in potentially dangerous situations.
During my training at the police academy, I have learned to work well with almost anyone. If I disagree with a fellow, I discuss it respectfully and understand his perspective. I am always willing to collaborate and cooperate with my colleagues. I have a positive attitude when working with people of different backgrounds.
14. In What Physical Training Activities Are You Currently Involved?
I have gained physical training to pass the Physical Abilities Test (PAT). My training consists of many physical activities such as running, climbing, jumping, crawling, etc. During the training, I climb or jump over a wall of a certain height, get out of a patrol car while still having my seatbelt on, and run a certain distance. I am an expert at high-step climbing over several low hurdles and dragging a dummy body weighing 150 pounds for almost 50 feet. I have also done belly crawling, continuous stair climbing, descending, and jumping in and out of a window while removing aversions and obstructions.
15. How To Interact With Criminals And How To Deal With Them Intelligently?
I know the majority of the police job involves interacting with criminals. I keep some solid points and facts in my mind while interacting with criminals. First, I tell them about the charges on them. Then I explain to them all the things clearly to avoid any confusion. I stay calm, avoid violence when treating a criminal, and often take the help of a lawyer for further proceedings to deal with everything safely. I keep all the constitutional rights in front of them and inform them of the possible outcomes that shove them to cooperate with me.
16. We Want To Increase Our Success Rate For Predicting Future Crimes. On What Research Area Would You Recommend Focusing?
We need to focus on human behavior to increase our success rate for predicting future crimes. I believe that learning more about criminal psychology factors that influence human behavior can help us better understand and predict upcoming crimes. For example, many studies have shown that people who have got abused in childhood are more likely to harm others later in life and commit serious crimes. So, understanding human behavior is crucial to understand a criminal mind.
17. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
I stay motivated at work because I am passionate about doing something good for my nation and country. I get motivated when I look at my community, its peace and safety preferences think about their families and elders that need my support and help all the time. My work and my sincerity in my job to serve the nation are my motivation.
18. Your Supervisor Gives You A Direct Order That Is Against Department Policy. What Do You Do? What If The Order Was Against The Law?
If I ever get in a situation where my senior forces me to work away from the law or orders me directly to break any law, I will never do it blindly. I will be alert and try to understand the reason behind it. If I do not find any good intention behind it, I will directly file a complaint against that officer in the Department of Justice. I will explain everything clearly that happened between the two of us.
19. As A Police Officer, What Was Your Least Favorite Duty?
As a Police Officer, I respect the responsibility to protect people’s life and liberty. I have done many duties in harsh weather and uncertain conditions. I fulfilled my job very well. But the least favorite part of my job is the time when I have to make a death notification for an accident. I feel sad while informing a family that your loved one has passed away and who was about to meet you in a few hours. It seems a shock to the family of the victim.
20. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?
I am an ambitious and career-oriented man. I have some commitments for my future. In five years, I want to be a better police officer. I want to polish my skills and enhance my knowledge in any way. I like to be in a commander post, as I have good organizational and communication skills. I want to serve my department and the people around me with my knowledge and performance.
21. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Are Looking For In This Job?
As a police officer, I am well prepared to face different challenges in this position, such as the chances of bribery, life-threatening situations, and other shortcomings. The biggest challenge I am looking for in this job is deciding the right thing at the right time. I am quick in decision-making and stay alert in critical situations. But sometimes, we have to face different people that might be involved in worse cases such as drugs, murder, and illegal weapon trade that could give us a tough time. Aside from all these challenges, I always perform my best to maintain the honor of my job and department.
22. What Actions Would You Take As A Police Officer To Ensure Good Relations With The Public In The Area That You Patrol?
I know that Police and public relations are vital for effective law enforcement in any area. As a police officer, I feel accountable for keeping my community safe and lowering the crime rate in my patrol area. I will discuss the security challenges with my people and acknowledge them for making a good contribution. I will try to establish trust between myself and the public. To reduce the bias, I will take steps to improve cultural competency.
23. How To Arrest A Criminal Who Has Committed A Crime Or Broken The Rules?
I will never tolerate any rule-breaking or crime-doers. I will start my investigation and handle the case without any interference. I will take strict action to solve the problem as soon as possible. I will take the statements of eyewitnesses and arrest that person right there. I will perform my duty with loyalty and never accept any favor or bribery.
24. What Tips Do You Follow If You Get Trapped Somewhere?
If I get trapped in a situation, I will have some plans and escape tips to avoid the trouble. I will follow constitutional laws and regulations to keep everyone safe. I will notice every movement to find out what could be the best solution to tackle the situation. I will never negotiate with criminals at any cost. I will try to avoid violence and use my training and experience to trap criminals.
25. Would You Arrest A Police Officer Who Is Committing A Crime?
Yes. As a police officer, I will perform my duty. If I witness a law enforcement officer commit a crime, I will arrest him right there. I will also inform my seniors so that they take further action against him. As an honest police officer, my utmost duty is to maintain law and order in any situation.
Conclusion
Police psychological interview is compulsory to pass after passing the other physical and written test and your background investigation.
If you fail the psychological interview, it could be a significant negative mark on you if you apply to any other law enforcement agency. Therefore, it is vital to pass the police psychological interview on the first attempt. So, get prepared and be confident!