Example Interview Questions Flashcards
Why is it important to promote diversity within the police?
Diversity is very important because society is diverse
Police therefore can only be effective if it is representative of the community it’s serving
People have different needs based on their cultures, religions and circumstances.
Only way police can provide first class service that is fair & consistent is if their workforce is also diverse.
What values do you believe are core to protecting the community?
Importance of value/adhered to
Public service
- police safeguard public
- first class service
- are fair, consistent & robust
- protects interest of society
Transparency
- open, honest & high level of integrity
- vital for public trusting police
Integrity
- setting a good example
- act professional when carrying out duties with communities
- strong moral principles even in challenging situations
Impartiality
- fair & unbiased
- be respectful
- challenge discrimination
I believe I have the experience to abide by these values & would if successful at becoming a police officer
Time you acted with integrity?
Situation - summer job & language school as an activity leader.
responsible among other things to walk individual under 13s home
Others in my team explained we didn’t need to do this, no one knew & kids didn’t care
task - i felt it was my responsibility to explain I didn’t agree & educate them on the reasons why.
action - explained we are responsible for the children until they are home & if anything happened we would be responsible.
Result - they disagreed with me but I at least knew I was fulfilling my role & keeping the children safe.
You are working on a high profile case and a journalist has obtained your private number. He calls you asking to anonymously confirming a rumour. How would you respond?
Explain I would not be providing them with any info.
However I would direct them to Dorset police’s media team who would be best placed to share information.
I would then ask them how they obtained my private number, and speak to my supervisor about this for advise on what to do.
However important to maintain positive relationships with the press, but I would never disclose sensitive information.
Would you treat a teenage boy and an elderly man differently if they had both been assaulted?
Same crime, so would not treat the crime differently, treat both victims equally/fairly.
Value impartiality, treat everyone fairly, objective, decisions based on evidence available.
However how I communicate with them may be different so I could collect all the info/evidence I needed.
Both would receive high level of service & crime treated the same.
Follow my training & procedures in place.
4 months ago agreed to attend your friends wedding. Rota released you are scheduled to work on the day of the wedding. What would you do?
Question wants to understand your priorities
I would call my friend & apologise for not being able to make it
When joining you commit to lifelong career and duties.
If I was to attend the wedding, someone would have to cover me which would mean their appointments would have to be changed which is unfair.
Overheard a colloids being racially abusive
Tell them to stop using that language
Speak to the person who the comments were aimed at the check they were okay
Report incident to my supervisor so appropriate action could be taken
If you ignore it you are effectively saying this is okay
Police officer values must be adhered to, to maintain trust with the public. If police officers can’t work in line, I don’t think they should be in the organisation.
Experienced conflict & how you defused it
Tips
- Remain calm
- maintain confidence
- use effective communication to achieve successful outcome
Situation
While working at the late night pharmacy, we had someone come in late at night for their controller drugs but their script had run out. So they started getting very angry.
Task
It was my responsibility to explain why we couldn’t give them their methodone.
Action
I remained calm & let them vent their frustration.
I then clearly explained what had happened.
They then started using in appropriate language so I asked in a firm & confident manner to stop. I then went on to explain how they could get an emergency script.
Resolution
Person calmed down & while still frustrated thanked me for my help. Successful outcome.
Time you had to be tactful to resolve a situation?
Tips
- communication/interpersonal skills vital to be a police officer
Situation
While working in my previous team someone in the team had done some work that wasn’t quite up to standard.
Task
To prevent this not being addressed till the final sign off in a few months time I took it upon myself to offer some constructive feedback.
Action
I asked to chat to them in private and explained it looked great but had a couple of ideas about how it could be even better and what benefit these edits would have.
Result
Because of the relationship we already had they took this really well & thanked me for the suggestions.
Do you have any restrictions on the locations you are able to work?
Tip - make yourself available
I have no restrictions, I can work wherever you need me. I have my own transport and will always make sure I’m at work on time wherever I’m based.
How would you balance work & your personal/social life as a police officer?
Tips:
- maintain healthy work life balance
- fitness/mental health
If I get to become a police office my work will be very important to me and I do expect my life to change.
However I’m ready for new challenge & looking forward to setting healthy habits in with my new routine such as stating fit & seeing friends around my shifts.
I will make sure I maintain a healthy work life balance, but looking forward to the commitment that comes with being a police officer & ready to adapt.
Why do you want to be a police officer
- Always want to be doing work that makes a difference, feels rewarding
- I’m excited by how much there is to learn & that as a police officer you’re always improving/developing
- I’ve really enjoyed the partnerships work in my previous roles, both internal & external, developing relaytiobships & aiming towards shared goals
- I also really like the fact you get to be out and about in the community, and that every day will be different.
What skills are needed to be a police officer?
- Exceptional communications skills
- How you speak/listen
- how you obtain written & verbal evidence
- how you interact with stakeholders
- ability to adjust communication as needed in situations (although always remain consistent & respect everyone) - Team working & independent working skills
- needs of the team first
- act as a positive role model - Confidence & resilience
- regularly deal with challenging situations
- remain calm & act professional - Good knowledge of laws & procedures
- Use Initiative to solve complex problems
Difficult problem/situation
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Fb trustee, questioning Trussell trusts stock support, quite belittling to females
Angry
Talked over me
- Let him voice his opinions
- Clearly explained I would try my best to answer his questions but if I couldn’t would pass them on to the person best places
- remained calm
- remained confident
- explained I would tolerate being talked over
Result
He calmed down
Ended on a better not
Followed up as I said I would clarifying all over email & finding answers to unknown questions
That on reflection could have been even more assertive with his misogynistic comments/ questioning
But overall happy I managed ti handle the situation
Example of a time I used my initiative?
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Took on board feedback
Just this week I was doing media training at work, where we all get interviewed on our subject areas and asked pretty tough questions to see how we responded under pressure to prepare us to be spokespeople for the charity.
Once we were interviewed we were given positive & constructive feedback on how we could improve.
While a little intimidating in front of each the feedback allowed me to know what areas I could improve & so I could put together an action plan & practice the skills learnt to become much more confident.
While I haven’t yet had these skills tested, I already feel more confident if a media request came in.
Difficult situation I intervened and took ownership of.
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Difficult decision? Personal or work
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Recruitment Panel for two internal candidates at work to get team leader position.
Objective
Responsibilities of a police officer
- Visible presence in the community to promote trust, reassurance & confidence
- Reduce crime
- Responding quickly & safely
- Adhering to police rules & procedures
- Upholding the police values (integrity, impartiality, public service & transparency)
- Liaising with members of the public
- Collecting evidence, statements
- Working alongside other emergency services/community partners
- Delivering sensitive & difficult news
- Note taking
- Risk assessments
- Conducting searches in accordance with law & procedures
