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PRIMER FOR PROSPECTIVE POLICE APPLICANTS
REQUIREMENTS
** Will differ from agency
to agency and state to state, but these
appear to be the most
common.
- Applicants must be at
least (18-35) years of age.(Most require
21 years of age for entry,
and a maximum of 35. Some hire as low
as 18, and some have no
maximum age limit for entry.
- Must have a high school
diploma or GED.
- Must have a valid driver's
license.
- Must be free from defects
in color vision and hearing.
- Weight/Height
proportionate.
- Must pass a physical
examination.
- Must complete a background
investigation.
- May be required to pass
drug screen.
- Must have no felony
convictions or misdemeanor convictions
involving moral turpitude.
- Veterans must have a
honorable discharge.
- Must not have excessive
traffic violations.
- No DWI/DUID convictions.
- Must have stable
employment history.
The Application and Testing Process
Provided below is a brief
description of the testing process
used by many agencies.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION
Usually a test of basic
reading comprehension and writing skills
necessary to perform police
tasks.
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
Used to verify information
provided on the initial application
and personal history
questionnaire.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Used to eliminate applicants
with medical conditions or
limitations that would
prevent them from safely performing
police duties. Drug testing
will probably be included in the exam.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A check of the information
you provided on the personal
history questionnaire. It
will include a check of your
criminal history and driving
record. May also include a check
of your employment history,
credit history, personal/business
references and educational
background.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
Used to evaluate your
psychological and emotional health as
it relates to the position
you are seeking.
PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
This test will include such
events as:
Running a pre-determined
distance. You might have to run in
order to catch a suspect.
Climbing flights of stairs. You
may have to answer calls for
service or pursue suspects in
multi-story buildings.
Dragging a dummy. You may have to
drag an unconscious person
to a place of safety at an
accident scene or other
disaster. Climbing over walls or
obstacles. You may have to
climb over fences or walls to
check buildings or pursue
suspects. Negotiating an obstacle
course. You may have to
avoid different types of obstacles
quickly while running, such
as if you are pursuing a suspect
through a crowd of people.
Broad jump. You may have to jump
across a ditch. Walking a
beam. You may have to walk on a
log, etc. to get across a
creek or ditch. Weight lifting.
You may have to lift heavy
objects or push people or objects
off of you. (usually
demonstrated with the bench press and
leg press and other
exercises) Most of these events are
timed.
ASSESSMENT CENTER
More departments are
utilizing this form of "hands on" type
of test. Assessment centers
subject the applicant to a battery
of job related reasoning and
decision-making exercises. This
procedure may also include
group discussion exercises with
other applicants and an oral
interview. The applicant usually
participates in most of
these events before a panel of
"assessors".
ORAL INTERVIEW
Finally, there is usually an
oral interview conducted as part
of the assessment center, or
before the department head, or
both. You are certain to be
asked questions such as: "Why do
you want to be a police
officer? or "Why do you feel you are
more qualified than the
other applicants to be a police
officer?" or
"Describe your strengths and your weaknesses." You
may also be asked to give
the interviewer(s) a short history of
your background, etc. You
could be asked to give your opinions
on current events in the
field of law enforcement.
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