Police Oral Board Review – Flashcards

-I'm a competent and tenacious person -I am a fast learner, and work well with others. -I'm a team player and like to be professional at all times. -I'm also punctual, possess excellent communication, listening and people skills and I love the satisfaction I get from helping others. - I can articulate myself clearly both verbally and in writing.

- First and foremost, I've chosen law enforcement as my career path because of the inner satisfaction I get from helping others. There is no better feeling then the sense of accomplishment I get when I help others. - Also, I like the fact that law enforcement puts such an extensive amount of emphasis on training. I love to learn and I think education and training are important so that I can become the best at my job no matter what it ends up being. - Additionally, I feel I'll have job satisfaction knowing there is always opportunities for promotion and specialization in certain areas. -Lastly, I like the sense of camaraderie police departments have. I look forward to becoming part of a family of co-workers and friends.

Well, I've been blessed with a great opportunity to join a highly respected department. - I like the strong sense of community and look forward to having a chance to give back to the community to make it a safer and more enjoyable place to live. - I grew up in Schuylerville and have always enjoyed Saratoga Springs and consider it home. - A few years back I had the opportunity to assist with alcohol compliance checks alongside the police department. That was my first glimpse at the department and I was impressed. The officers I worked with were professional, worked well as a team, and clearly got along well. I'd not only be happy to work for this department, I'd be proud. - My brother-in-law works for the city as a fire fighter and he loves it and has nothing but good things to say about it.

- Well, to start off, I have an Associate of Science in Police Science, my bachelors degree in criminal justice administration. - In college, I had an internship at the Family Justice Center, which is a domestic violence center. While I could've interned with a police department or other law enforcement agency, I thought it best to volunteer at the domestic violence center to learn what goes on there and how to help victims of domestic violence. DV calls can be some of the hardest and high stress calls police officers respond to, so my experience there will be invaluable. - Indirectly, I've prepared myself by trying to obey all laws and being an exemplary citizen. -I also realize that being a police officer has a physical aspect of it and understand that the police academy is going to be tough. In preparation for the academy, I exercise daily including weightlifting and cardio exercises.

-I see myself active in continuing my training and education -I'd like to be more involved with the community through programs like D.A.R.E. or go to local schools to talk to kids about the danger of drugs and violence. -I also hope to be a role model for academy graduates and either teach at the academy or become a Field Training Officer. Lastly, I hope to start a family.

I learned valuable experiences such as people skills, team work, communication skills and customer service but the job is missing satisfaction and pride. As i stated before, I'd like to go into the public sector because of the sense of inner satisfaction I get from helping someone. I also would like to leave because I'd like to have a career that puts an emphasis on education, training, and fitness as well as the possibility for career mobility and promotions.

- founded in the 1800's, - the commissioner of public safety is Christian Mathiesen, the police chief is Greg Veitch, - the department gives service to the 28,000 residents that live here year round. I also know the population nearly triples in the summer during track season. - 65 sworn police officers, 10 dispatchers and 2 parking enforcement officers. - 3 divisions. The patrol division, Investigations and traffic divisions.

Not being proficient in a second language.

- excellent communication and people skills, I can articulate myself clearly both verbally and in writing. - I work well with others and enjoy being part of a team. - I can follow and take orders from my supervisor, I'm also self driven and can operate under minimal supervision with no problem and I can also be an effective leader. - professional and can make high stress decisions in critical situations.

An good example of a time I had to make a critical decision would be after I graduated from Adirondack Community College in New York. I had to make the choice between continuing my education or entering myself into the job market with only an Associate degree. Although I thought an associate degree would be adequate, I felt I wanted to learn more about criminal justice and further my education to make myself a more effective police officer in the future. So I decided to go to school at San Diego State University because of their respected program and also because I researched the job market and there are far more jobs available in California as opposed to NY.

One example of a time I had to make a critical decision under stress was while I was employed with the San Diego County Probation Department. I worked in a unit (cell block) with approximately 20-30 juveniles ages 15-18 and two other officers. We were outside for recreation one day when two rival gang members broke line and started to fist fight. I yelled "cover" and all juveniles except for the two fighting went into the cover position. At that point, I then yelled cover OC and sprayed both juveniles with pepper spray. One of the juveniles went down to the cover position, and the other one didn't. So I holstered my pepper spray, and took the juvenile down.

I have done my research and I understand that one of the many duties of the police officer is to keep accurate notes and write clear and concise reports. I understand that report writing is important so that if need be, someone can read the report and it will paint a clear picture of what actually transpired at the incident. I embrace the job of report writing and don't mind writing in the least. When I was in high school I originally wanted to major in sports journalism so I enjoy writing.

- patrol neighborhoods, respond to emergency calls, maintain law and order, - conduct traffic stops, handle domestic and criminal disputes - transport criminals, testify in court, conduct preliminary investigations, visit local schools, - investigate traffic accidents, write reports, keep the peace.

-Honesty: As a police officer, there's a great deal of responsibility and trust given to each officer and it is the job of the officer to never compromise their integrity. - People skills: they will interact with the public all day long and they must be able to do so professionally. It also makes for a better work environment when everyone gets along. - Communication skills: Being able to articulate yourself clearly in both verbal commands, and written reports

I highly encourage it regardless of what profession someone chooses. I personally enjoy physical training and take pride in being fit and leading a healthy lifestyle. In regards to policing, I understand the police academy is not only mentally challenging, but it's also physically challenging. I have prepared myself for the challenge through weightlifting and cardiovascular exercises at my local gym numerous times a week. I know I will be ready for the physical aspect of the academy and I won't use the academy to get into shape.

The rest of my career.

I've done a lot of volunteer work to benefit my community. For starters, I've been a volunteer firefighter since I was 16 and have dedicated 4 years to helping my community members out through several different means. In high school, I also volunteered to paint a cemetery fence for my local church, helped Red Cross with the blood drive at my high school, and participated in fire prevention week with my fire department at our local elementary school. I have also helped set up Relay for Life walks as well as participated in them. domestic violence center.

An example of a time I had to work with a team on an assignment is when I was the lead man on a cell extraction team while working in Juvenile Hall as a Probation Officer for San Diego. We came up with a clear plan outside of the cell. We'd stage to the right of the door, the Watch Commander would open the door and we'd snake in as a team in a straight line. I would shield the individual into the wall and tell him to get down.

I have several examples of times I've been a leader or supervisor. In high school I was the captain of my soccer, basketball and tennis team. In college I was on the executive board of the SDSU criminal justice student association. I was promoted to Facility supervisor at my campus gym in college. I filled in for a shift leader one shift while working as a probation officer in Juvenile Hall. The shift leader is responsible for the flow of the day. In all examples, I learned that to be a good leader you have to respect everyone, be fair, honest, unbiased and articulate yourself clearly. I also think a good leader should lead by example and be open minded.

Without a doubt I'd rather work as a team. I like to work as a team because I feel like everyone can bring something to the table and you can use everyone's ideas to work towards a common goal as opposed to one person being stuck in a certain way of thinking. Teamwork is one of the reasons I want to become a police officer. Although I understand police officers are on patrol individually most of the time, they are all in constant communication with each other.

I think you should hire me because I am the type of person you're looking for. I'm punctual, dedicated, hardworking and honest. I believe in working as a team, I work well with others, and I'm enthusiastic about law enforcement. I have dedicated myself to becoming a police officer through education, community service and well developed skill sets and I think I posses the traits that would make me a valuable asset to this police department.

I think that before you can be a good police officer, you need to be a good person and I feel I fit into that mold. I also think I'd be a good police officer because I've had the opportunity to prepare myself through my education and life experiences. I have held several jobs that have put me in direct contact with the public and have worked at polishing my skill set for the very reason of making myself a good police officer. Additionally, I have prepared myself physically for the demands of the career and with all the reasons combined, I feel confident once I receive my training I will be an excellent police officer.

Being awarded the Top Student award for my Probation Department Training Academy class. There were about 30 students in my academy class and I was selected as the top student because I had the highest test score average, and demonstrated leadership abilities throughout the academy.

I am an open minded person who accepts criticism well. I think constructive criticism should be embraced because the purpose of it is so you don't make the same mistake twice and so you can better yourself. I have no problem making a change or adjustment and think that constructive criticism is really a way to get improvement.

I think the best course of action for dealing with stress is identifying the stress, and either learning to accept the stressor and move on or talk about it with someone. I think talking through stressful situations and keeping an open mind is a successful way to deal with stress and is how I usually do so.

One thing I'd like to improve about myself is education and training. I feel there is so much more to be learned about law enforcement and I want to become more educated. I'd like to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program and go back to school to complete a masters degree. I'd also like to improve on a second language. I recently started taking spanish again because I feel being bilingual can be very beneficial to a police officer.

I believe all my friends, co-wokers and colleagues will agree that I'm a hard worker, unselfish, honest, disciplined and a team player. I also believe they will say I am fun to be around and a great friend to have and that they are happy they know me because I bring them joy and friendship.

I think there are several reasons for my success. First of all, I think being raised in a large family with good parenting, strong values and morals helped make me into the honest person I am today. Also, I possess good analytical and decision making abilities, I'm committed and dedicated to my goals and I won't give up on them.

For starters, I would never jeopardize the integrity, responsibility and trust the position gives me. I think as a police officer, it is our job to lead by example and follow all laws. One of the reasons why I want to be a police officer because of the opportunity it gives me to give back to the community. I hope to participate in several community service opportunities as well as be a mentor to kids and get involved with schools to teach the importance of education and the danger of drugs. Lastly, I would try to implement more of a community based policing strategy to really get the community involved in making it a better place to live.

Community oriented policing involves many different things. Different parts include interacting with community members and getting them more involved with problems and solutions for problems, talk and listen to the concerns of the citizens, being honest and being happy with what you do every day, policing without being biased, treating everyone fairly, preventing crime, and being both proactive and reactive in your policing.

If I may sir, I have a closing statement I'd like to give before I leave. First, I'd like to thank the city of Saratoga Springs and the oral board for giving me the opportunity to come in and interview for the position of police officer. I'd like to reiterate myself by saying I am fully determined and prepared to make myself into a great police officer and an asset to your department. I have prepared myself through education, past work history and life experiences. I have tried to live my life as an exemplary citizen and hold myself to the highest degree of moral and ethical values. I am in excellent shape and very enthusiastic about a career in law enforcement. In closing I'd like to say thank you again and there's nothing more I'd like right now then to continue on in the process so that I could soon join this highly respected department. Thank you for your time and consideration.

To provide a professional, effective, and timely response to crime and disorder, and to enhance traffic safety in our community.

Professionalism Respect Integrity Duty Excellence