Interview Questions Flashcards
Why do you believe it is important to promote diversity within the police force?
- society is diverse
- a police force can only be truly effective if representative of the community it’s serving
- people in society have different needs based on background, religious beliefs, culture, circumstances
- only way police can provide the best service fairly and consistently is if the workforce is also diverse
What values do you believe are core to protecting the community? (Public service)
- public service - ensuring police safeguard public by providing the best service that is fair, consistent, robust and that protects the interests of society
What values do you believe are core to protecting the community? (Transparency)
Transparency - being open, honest and acting with a high degree of integrity are essential qualities to be a competent police officer
- vital public has trust in its police force
What values do you believe are core to protecting the community? (Integrity)
Integrity - setting a good example and acting as a positive role model when carrying out duties and working within the community.
- strong moral principles and professional in everything that you do
What values do you believe are core to protecting the community? (Impartiality)
Impartiality - always acting in a far and unbiased manner - be respectful of others and challenge discrimination if you ever come across it
What values do you believe are core to protecting the community?
Public service
Transparency
Integrity
Impartiality
How would your approach change when engaging with a suspect who is male, compared to a suspect who is female?
- treat everyone fairly, consistently and in line with police force values and training I would have received
- as a pc - duty of care for all individuals - ensure that no one gets treated unfairly based on their gender
- however, if a situation were to arise - for example if a female suspect was pregnant - I would take this into consideration in how I engaged and communicated with her
- treating everyone fairly does not necessarily mean everyone will be treated the same
- there will be situations where I need to adapt my style of communication to suit situation
- However at all times I would be fair and consistent because the law applies to everyone regardless of gender
Tell me about a time when you acted with integrity? (STAR) Situation
In my current job, I work as part of a team of employment consultants contracted to the Ministry of Justice Employment Training and Education services. When I started the job in April, I was advised by some of the team to predominately give short, over the phone appointments to the probation service users. They stated that this would save time in the long run and allow me to get through more of the caseloads. However, I knew that it was important for the service users to get the most out of the sessions together to help reduce their likelihood of reoffending.
Tell me about a time you acted with integrity? TASK
I felt it was my responsibility to say no to their suggestion and educate them as to the reasons why
Tell me about a time you acted with integrity (ACTION)
I explained that if we lower the standards of our services then the service users would not benefit out of the sessions. As the sessions provide support in providing ETE opportunities for people on probation, it will increase their likelihood of reoffending if the support was reduced. We had a duty to help support these people into rehabilitating from crime
Tell me about a time you acted with integrity (RESULT)
I explained this to them and they agreed with me. I helped them see that the service they provide when at full potential is worthwhile.
I opted for face to face appointments where possible and stuck to the recommended contract times of 45 minutes to one hour sessions. The rest of the team also upped their delivery times too.
You are working on a high profile case, and a journalist has obtained your private phone number. He contacts you asking to anonymously confirm a rumour that has been circulating. How do you respond to that?
- explain that I would not be providing them with any info relating to the case
- I would direct the journalist to the police force media communications team (if they have one) and here the latest details could be given
- I would ask them how they obtained my private number. I would speak to my sergeant and ask them for advice on the matter
- I understand it’s important to keep a positive relationship with the press but I would never disclose sensitive information with the authority to do so
Would you treat a teenage boy and an elderly man differently if they had both been assaulted?
- still the same crime - this would not treat the crime differently and would treat both victims fairly and in line with police officer values
- one of those values is impartiality, and it would be my responsibility to make a fair and objective decision using the evidence that was available
- how I communicate with them both might alter slightly because I would need to change my style of communication to get the info and evidence that I needed, but they would both receive the same high level of service and the crime would be treated the same
- at all times, I would follow my training and the operational focuses that the police force had in place
4 months ago you agreed to attend your childhood friends wedding. When your rota is released you are schedule to work the day of the wedding what would you do?
I would call my friend and apologise for not being able to make the wedding.
When you join the police you are committing to a lifelong career where, in my opinion, your work and the commitment to you demonstrate to your police force is vital
If I were to attend the wedding, I would be letting my colleagues down and someone else would have to cover for me, meaning their appointments and commitments would have to be changed, which is unfair
I’d send my apologies and I would be on duty that day
What would you do if you heard your colleague being racially abusive to someone?
- I would intervene straight away and tell the person to stop using that type of language
- I would speak to the person who the comments were aimed at to make sure they were okay before reporting the incident to my supervisor or sergeant so the appropriate action could be taken
- if you ignore this type of behaviour you are effectively condoning it so I would not hesitate in stopping and reporting it
- the police force has values that must be adhered to and it is important that we build up trust with the public whom we are serving. If police officers can’t act in line with those values, I believe they shouldn’t be working in the organisation
Give an example of a time when you have experienced conflict and how you resolved it (SITUATION)
Situation: whilst working in my old job as a caseworker for a charity helping to reduce reoffending, I was conducting an initial assessment on a service user. I asked him whether he had the right to work in the UK. This is a question we ask all service users as it means that you have proof of NI and appropriate ID to enable you to work. The service user took offence to this and called me racist because he was not born in this country.
Give an example of a time when you have experienced conflict and how you resolved it (TASK)
The Su started swearing, shouting and stating that he had lived in this country longer than me. I knew I needed to take control of the situation to achieve a successful outcome
Give an example of a time when you have experienced conflict and how you resolved it (ACTION)
I let the SU vent about their frustrations. Whilst they were talking, I listened carefully to what they were saying and used open body language. When they started using inappropriate language, I asked them in a firm and confident manner to please stop talking to me in that way. I explained that I was there to support him into employment and, to do, I needed to check whether he had the appropriate documents for work. I explained that this is a question we ask everyone, regardless of whether they were born in the UK or not. I explained that right to work meant a suitable form of ID such as passport/ birth certificate and proof of national insurance number.
Give an example of a time when you have experienced conflict and how you resolved it (TASK)
By taking control of the situation and by communicating in a calm yet confident matter, I was able to reach a successful outcome of calming the service user down and carrying on with his initial assessment
Tell me about a time when you had to be tactful to resolve a situation? (SITUATION)
Whilst working in my previous job, I had communication from one of the employers I worked with that a service user in their employment was not achieving his targets.
Tell me about a time when you had to be tactful to resolve a situation? (TASK)
As I was the service users caseworker, it was my job to ensure he was performing well at work so he did not fail his probation their and thus become unemployed, potentially increasing his likelihood of reoffending.
Tell me about a time when you had to be tactful to resolve a situation? (ACTION)
During my routine visit with him in work, I asked him whether everything was okay. He broke down and explained that he was really struggling at work. He had chosen night shifts and could not adapt. He was trying his best to get to work but due to a lack of sleep, he hadn’t been performing as well as he could. He had dropped 2 stone in weight over a short period of time and his mental health was diminishing due to lack of sleep and an inability to talk to his family.
I spoke to the employer about moving him onto a day shift to help improve his sleep pattern and all round quality of life. I explained that this would also help to improve his targets.
Tell me about a time when you had to be tactful to resolve a situation? (RESULT)
The service user swapped shifts. His mental health improved significantly. He put the weight he had lost back on and he was the highest achiever in targets. He even received an employee of the month award for his efforts
Do you have any restrictions on the locations you are able to work
I have no restrictions on where I can work. Wherever you need me to go, I will be available. I have transport and I will always make sure I am at work on time regardless of where I am stationed.
