The police force is a made-up body empowered by a state, which aims to enforce the law, ensure protection , safety of citizens or people and possessions to prevent crime and civil disorder.
The lawful powers of the police include arrest of citizens or persons who flout rules and commit crimes, the investigation of crime scenes and criminals.
The Police force is often defined as being separate from the military and other organizations involved in the state’s defense against foreign aggressors.
However, the Police force is a public sector service empowered to protect the people or inhabitants of any country, as taxes fund it.
Interestingly, there are interview questions and answers every intending recruit should learn about the police force. This article explains 20 of those interview questions and answers.
Table of contents
- Special Units and Departments In the Police force.
- 1. Criminal Investigative Department (CID):
- 20 Police Interview Questions and Answers You Should Learn.
- Learn 20 Police Interview Questions and Answers:1. What are the qualities of a good police officer?
- 2. What are the responsibilities of a good police officer?
- 3. What is the time frame for a person to report a crime?
- 4. Why do you want to be a Police officer? (You have to be very careful while answering this question, as the answer should reflect passion)
- 5. Tell me your reaction if a suspect tries to bribe you, to forgive his /her crime? (This is the part where you emphasize your level of integrity).
- 6. What do police officers say when arresting an alleged criminal?
- 7. Your supervisor gives you a direct order which is against department policy. What do you do? What if the order was against the law?
- 8. You are off duty. At a restaurant, the owner recognizes you as a police officer that patrols the neighborhood. The owner says, “Good job. Keep my restaurant safe ok?”, and then writes no charge on your bill. What will you do, if anything?
- 9. Why are you leaving your current job?
- 10. How much do you want to be paid?
- 11. What motivates you? New challenge motivates me.
- 12. How would your friend describe you?
- 13. How do you get along with different personalities?
- 14. What would you do if you saw a fellow officer commit a crime?
- 15. Tell us a little about yourself.
- 16. What is your greatest weakness?
- 17. What are your goals?
- 18. What can you do for the police force, that other candidates can’t do?
- 19. Why should we hire you?
- 20. Is there anything else you would like to say?
- Recommendation
Special Units and Departments In the Police force.
There are several special units and departments in the police force, such as;
1. Criminal Investigative Department (CID):
The Criminal Investigative Department (CID) investigates severe crimes like murder.
Other crimes which the CID look into are; major robberies and burglaries, sexual assault, fraud and cybercrime and other levels of serious assaults.
A Criminal Investigation Department officer sometimes assists uniformed officers in investigating less serious crimes, such as theft.
The CID has the same rank structure as the uniformed branch. Officers in the CID are referred to as detective constable and detective sergeants.
CID officers do not work in the shift system as they are often required to work long and irregular hours. However, a major investigation can require CID officers to work throughout the day.
Their work is often slow and requires great patience, intelligence and good memory and attention to detail.
Many police constables apply to join the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) but very few are employed. CID requires certain qualities and commitment, as department officers must show aptitude or know-how for this kind of work.
A constable can request a temporary attachment to a particular squad to aid selection.
If they show particular ability in this work, then his or her senior officers would put them forward for consideration by an interview board.
2. Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA):
SOCA or the Serious Organised Crime Agency , which was created in April 2006 was formed from the amalgamation of the National Crime Squad (NCS), National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), that part of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The body deals with drug trafficking and associated economic crime, as well as the part of UK Immigration dealing with organized immigration crime (UKIS).
Their stated aim of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), is to prevent/detect serious organised crime and contribute to its reduction in other ways.
Furthermore, Serious Organised Crime Agency is created to support law enforcement partners, notably UK police forces, HM Revenue and Customs.
Their work often involves pervasive and time-consuming operations. Operations include; undercover work, physical or technical surveillance, witness protection and financial investigation.
The essence of creating SOCA is to fight drugs trafficking successfully, organized immigration crime, individual and private sector fraud, and almost any crime with an organized element.
3. Drugs Squad:
Where Serious Organised Crime Agency tackles large-scale drug trafficking, local forces have squads to deal with drug offences in their area.
This department in the police force is surveilling local drug dealers and raids on premises to make arrests.
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4. Economic Crime Unit/ Detective:
This unit in the police force was established in 1946 and run by the Metropolitan Police in cooperation with the City of London Police. This special unit also operates within the Serious Fraud Office.
Moreover, there are specialist operations in the police force, with branches and a wide range of functions, including; anti-terrorism, convert operations & intelligence, diplomatic protection, firearms, national identification, photographic & graphics, royal protection and special branch.
Duties Of A Police
Police duties include; the protection of lives and properties, enforcement of criminal law, criminal investigations, traffic regulating, crowd control, public safety duties, civil defense, emergency management, a search of missing persons, lost property, and other duties concerned with public order.
Regardless of size, the police force is generally organized as a hierarchy with multiple ranks. As implied by the name, “uniformed Police” wear “uniforms”, which differ in various countries worldwide.
The Police perform functions that require immediate recognition of an officer’s legal authority and a potential need for force. Most commonly, this means they intervene to stop a crime in progress and secure scenes where crime has already taken place.
Below, we will discuss the police interview questions and answers.
20 Police Interview Questions and Answers You Should Learn.
So many people are passionate about the police force but they cannot understand certain things. Interviews are tough but police interviews are tougher.
Thus, this article puts you through and enlightens you about likely questions and answers you should learn, which will aid your recruitment into the Police force.
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Learn 20 Police Interview Questions and Answers:
1. What are the qualities of a good police officer?
The qualities of a good police officer are; intelligence, integrity, great communication skill, compassion, problem-solving skills, top-notch interpersonal skills, top moral character, and dedication to humanity.
This is an important police interview questions and answers you should learn.
2. What are the responsibilities of a good police officer?
A good police officer maintains law and order in a state. However, the primary responsibility of a good police officer is providing safety to the residents of an area, while maintaining law and order.
A Police officer would risk his/her life to keep unarmed civilians safe from criminals.
3. What is the time frame for a person to report a crime?
A victim or witness should not waste time before reporting any crime. As soon as the crime scene is detected, it is better to inform the police. This will enable them to swing into action and aid their investigation.
As much as people need the police, the police also need the people to inform them about any strange movement or criminal activities.
There are, however some limitations in reporting a crime, known as the statute of limitations. These are in place for the proper governance of the time which goes in reporting a crime before it is “forgiven” in the eyes of the law.
4. Why do you want to be a Police officer? (You have to be very careful while answering this question, as the answer should reflect passion)
Talk about your passion, commitment to serving your community/nation, how much you love the job and how determined you are to fight crime. Mention that you have always wanted to be in a profession, where 2 days aren’t the same.
Also, never forget to mention that you have integrity and honest.
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5. Tell me your reaction if a suspect tries to bribe you, to forgive his /her crime? (This is the part where you emphasize your level of integrity).
6. What do police officers say when arresting an alleged criminal?
You can remain silent, as anything you say will be used against you in court.
7. Your supervisor gives you a direct order which is against department policy. What do you do? What if the order was against the law?
If you are ever being forced/coerced by your supervisor to look away from the law or directly break it, you must be alert and try to understand the reason behind it.
Do not fret but directly file a complaint with the Department of Justice explaining what happened between you and your supervisor.
It is strongly advised to stay away from will soil or alter your integrity within the Police force.
This is another police interview questions and answer you should learn.
8. You are off duty. At a restaurant, the owner recognizes you as a police officer that patrols the neighborhood. The owner says, “Good job. Keep my restaurant safe ok?”, and then writes no charge on your bill. What will you do, if anything?
The response should be, I will respectfully decline his offer to waive my restaurant charges only because I’m the patrolling officer.
I will reply him saying , “ Thanks for your offer, but as an officer of the law, it is my duty to protect citizens and their rights. I cannot accept this as it is my job to do so, but thanks again.”
9. Why are you leaving your current job?
Bad answer: “I can’t stand my boss or the work I am doing”.
Strongly stay away from criticizing your department or fellow officers. Focus on the positive instead.
Good answer: “I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge to broaden my horizons and gain new skill sets, all of which I see the potential for in this department.”
10. How much do you want to be paid?
“I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. However, I’d expect to be paid the range for this job, based on my years of experience. I also think a fair salary would remember the high cost of living here.
This is another police interview questions and answer you should learn.
11. What motivates you? New challenge motivates me.
12. How would your friend describe you?
My friends would probably say I’m extremely persistent, as I have never been afraid to return until I get what I want.
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13. How do you get along with different personalities?
Answer this question by showing that you will collaborate and compromise with your colleagues. Show your positive attitude when working with people of different backgrounds.
14. What would you do if you saw a fellow officer commit a crime?
The law also binds law enforcement agents. What you need to do is essentially spelled out for you. However, you do want to create an answer with the right tone. You shouldn’t sound happy at the prospect.
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15. Tell us a little about yourself.
Your answer should include a summary of your career, your strengths and accomplishments and why you want to work at that specific department.
16. What is your greatest weakness?
When they ask what your weaknesses are, interviewers are really looking for your ability to think critically about your shortcomings and offer strategies for self-improvement.
You should give an actual weakness of yours, framed as something that you’re actively working on correcting or eager to learn more about.
17. What are your goals?
Talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future.
This is another police interview questions and answer you should learn.
18. What can you do for the police force, that other candidates can’t do?
This is an assessment of your experiences, skills, and traits.
19. Why should we hire you?
This is a common question and there is a need to convince the interviewer. Summarize your experience, strengths, and skills.
Highlight the outstanding jobs you have done for previous employers.
20. Is there anything else you would like to say?
At this point, you should form a closing statement that reviews your strongest points and why you would be a good fit for the agency.
There is the last police interview questions and answers you should learn.
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