Recommendations for a Police Board?

[colo-pr]

I applied for Colorado Springs Police months ago and pass some exams but now I'm the process to take the Board and the physical the next week. Made some research about it but honestly I feel nervous and worried about it. I know my second language maybe is a plus (Spanish) or maybe don't help too much.

Any Police Board tips or recommendations are really appreciated :-)

[strm_trpr]

It is not so much what you say as how you say it. They are looking for confident well spoken officers who can articulate their point and stick to their decisions.

[Great-Kazoo]

It is not so much what you say as how you say it. They are looking for confident well spoken officers who can articulate their point and stick to their decisions.

Let's not forget the BG check AND psyc review / test. Espanol is a major plus for literally any job.

[strm_trpr]

Let's not forget the BG check AND psyc review / test. Espanol is a major plus for literally any job.

Yep, u can fail the psych if you skipped breakfast and the BG check is just super time consuming, it is hard to remember who was my room mates girlfriend 9 years ago.

[Great-Kazoo]

Yep, u can fail the psych if you skipped breakfast and the BG check is just super time consuming, it is hard to remember who was my room mates girlfriend 9 years ago.

The .mil AND CA LE went back to our kids middle school years. Like your GPA in 5th grade is going to determine what kind of employee you will be.
AH i see you received a 2.7 GPA in 5th grade advanced calculus looks like we're going to deny your application[facepalm]

[DingleBerns]

Go onto their website and learn about the department, structure, chief, etc. Then be prepared to be asked why you want to be a police officer and what have you done to prepare yourself.

[colo-pr]

Yep, u can fail the psych if you skipped breakfast and the BG check is just super time consuming, it is hard to remember who was my room mates girlfriend 9 years ago.

OMG yes! The Bible that I filled was so time consuming, most hard for me because all of my family and 97% of friends and relatives are in PR. So painful need to find all of my Economy Data, anyway I made it.

What you say about skip the breakfast is a quote or a fact? Because I thought in take something super light the morning if the Test

[OneGuy67]

Go onto their website and learn about the department, structure, chief, etc. Then be prepared to be asked why you want to be a police officer and what have you done to prepare yourself.

This. Also, be able to articulate why you wish to work for them specifically. Use examples such as discussing one or more of their policing programs and the impact you've seen with them where you live, the desire to assist your neighbors, etc. You need to personalize it and get them to feel as though you understand their agency and how they do things and you want to be a part of it. They are going to see a lot of people in the next few days and they are all going to say the same thing and answer the questions in the same way. You need to stand above them. Everyone coming in for an interview wants to be a cop; some want to work for them, some just want a cop job and the Springs is hiring. You need to bring to the table a very detailed and dedicated reason as to why they should consider you over all these other people and you can do that with knowledge of their department, how you could fit into the department, what programs you are excited about, how you are going to make their department better with your hiring. Don't use SWAT or tactical as a reason; use cornerstone programs like their policing practices (what philosophy does the chief embrace?), their outreach to minorities, seniors or children, crime prevention programs, etc.

[colo-pr]

Go onto their website and learn about the department, structure, chief, etc. Then be prepared to be asked why you want to be a police officer and what have you done to prepare yourself.

My cousing that been a police officer in FL for maaaaany years told me the same BUT the CSPD website don't have any info! The only data that I found was from Wikipedia from 2008, nothing recent. I really don't know why they don't have any info :-(

[colo-pr]

This. Also, be able to articulate why you wish to work for them specifically. Use examples such as discussing one or more of their policing programs and the impact you've seen with them where you live, the desire to assist your neighbors, etc. You need to personalize it and get them to feel as though you understand their agency and how they do things and you want to be a part of it. They are going to see a lot of people in the next few days and they are all going to say the same thing and answer the questions in the same way. You need to stand above them. Everyone coming in for an interview wants to be a cop; some want to work for them, some just want a cop job and the Springs is hiring. You need to bring to the table a very detailed and dedicated reason as to why they should consider you over all these other people and you can do that with knowledge of their department, how you could fit into the department, what programs you are excited about, how you are going to make their department better with your hiring. Don't use SWAT or tactical as a reason; use cornerstone programs like their policing practices (what philosophy does the chief embrace?), their outreach to minorities, seniors or children, crime prevention programs, etc.

Thanks a lot, I need to digging more about policies and departments because don't found anything yet

[strm_trpr]

Have you done a ride along...Those are almost mandatory in getting hired.

As far as my comment about psych test, I was being snarky, the psych tests are looking for a personality trate score that the agency has decided to look for. In other words, a number, you may pass one day and not another. Just try to have a normal day on the day of the psych, don't stress about it and try to stay consistent.

[theGinsue]

I don't have any advice for you other than to go into the interview with confidence. I'm both excited and hopeful for you. Please let us know how the interview went when you get done with it.

[T-Giv]

Just remember that they are hiring 50 people this go around for an Academy and then they are turning around and hiring 50 more again. They are way down on staffing. They also have well over 7k initial applications and a large amount are military. Who knows how many they have axed to get to oral boards but you have already beaten a large amount of the masses. They don't expect you to know the perfect answer to every question. You don't have the necessary training to do that. Just answer how you feel is best and articulate why. Then stick to your answer when they try to get you to waffle on it.

[OneGuy67]

They don't expect you to know the perfect answer to every question. You don't have the necessary training to do that. Just answer how you feel is best and articulate why. Then stick to your answer when they try to get you to waffle on it.

I'm going to disagree on this particular statement. I've sat on oral boards for a few different agencies and while they tell people in the academies to follow this rule and not change your answer, you need to understand that not all situations fit that.

Two examples: Usually there is a question concerning accepting gratuities and the general answer is no. Usually a follow up question comes about accepting a free cup of coffee from the 7-Eleven clerk and the person always says no. Then the question comes that while you are at a house taking a report, the homeowner offers you a cup of coffee, the recruit will follow the same logic and say no as they not allowed to accept gratuities and that answer would be wrong, as most agencies want you to be human when dealing with the public and sitting at the table with a victim taking information for a report and accepting a cup of coffee isn't a gratuity.

The second example comes from a question about issuing citations and stopping someone you know/are related to. It usually evolves into a question about DUI and your father or mother being stopped and suspected of DUI. The recruit believes that the right answer is, they would arrest their own parent or sibling, when the truth is, they would not. It is how you deal with the issue that they are interested in, not that you feel the need to lie and say you would arrest your parent/sibling/best friend.

[T-Giv]

^ Well then it clearly depends on the agency and what they are looking for. The oral boards I sat on last week were the polar opposite. They had similar questions and if someone changed their answer they were immediately rejected from the process.

[colo-pr]

I don't have any advice for you other than to go into the interview with confidence. I'm both excited and hopeful for you. Please let us know how the interview went when you get done with it.

Thanks a lot :-)

[colo-pr]

Thanks a lot guys for all recommendations, well, I know I'm blessed pass thru the huge mass, I hope to be in this 50 person group.

With all of this tips I feel more confident, now I'm worry about the Physical lol, my god this "Beep Test" kill me, for some one that live his entire life at maybe sea level and now at 7-9k feet the lack of oxygen is noticeable.

I'm so good in Push-ups and Sit-ups, I'll try to practice very hard this last week for the next Saturday for the Beep Test.

[Lex_Luthor]

Good luck! I'm also going through the process with a couple agencies.

[02ducky]

I have no advice, but good luck man!

[T-Giv]

When do you actually take the physical test? You said "the next week" last week so maybe you have already taken it? I have that scheduled with CSPD as well but mine isn't until next month.

[Flatline]

When I did my oral boards it was more hypothetical than anything else. Questions about why you want to work for CSPD specifically, what you would do if you caught another officer committing a felony on duty, what would you do if you caught a family member committing a misdemeanor (questions are more specific, but I don't want to give them verbatim). They score your questions based on your answers, and it's not black and white. Make your decision and state your reasoning.

They psych test was just the MMPI 2, and then you talk about it with the psychologist (for example, I chose the exact wrong answer on a question but it was because I didn't know what 'raw deal' meant) and he decides if your test results are accurate or can be adjusted.

Prepare for the your investigator to tear your life apart. If you are human, you will have mistakes in your past. They want you to be honest, explain them, and why that is not who you are now...etc . Most importantly do not ever hide anything from the investigator, they WILL find it. My investigator managed to tracked down some of my patient dispatches from being a medic that resulted in court cases(child abuse and domestic violence cases), and then interviewed my Lt and the medical Lt about them. I thought those were protected by HIPPA, apparently not.

Good luck, and if you don't get in you can apply again (unless they've changed that). If you want it and you can show what you've changed on the second round, they love that.

Also, CSFD is looking to get some funding to hire a bunch of firefighters, you can always join our family!

[colo-pr]

When I did my oral boards it was more hypothetical than anything else. Questions about why you want to work for CSPD specifically, what you would do if you caught another officer committing a felony on duty, what would you do if you caught a family member committing a misdemeanor (questions are more specific, but I don't want to give them verbatim). They score your questions based on your answers, and it's not black and white. Make your decision and state your reasoning.

They psych test was just the MMPI 2, and then you talk about it with the psychologist (for example, I chose the exact wrong answer on a question but it was because I didn't know what 'raw deal' meant) and he decides if your test results are accurate or can be adjusted.

Prepare for the your investigator to tear your life apart. If you are human, you will have mistakes in your past. They want you to be honest, explain them, and why that is not who you are now...etc . Most importantly do not ever hide anything from the investigator, they WILL find it. My investigator managed to tracked down some of my patient dispatches from being a medic that resulted in court cases(child abuse and domestic violence cases), and then interviewed my Lt and the medical Lt about them. I thought those were protected by HIPPA, apparently not.

Good luck, and if you don't get in you can apply again (unless they've changed that). If you want it and you can show what you've changed on the second round, they love that.

Also, CSFD is looking to get some funding to hire a bunch of firefighters, you can always join our family!

Well, i been there today and I think that I had a good board, for my surprise all questions was different from what I found making research and people say here. Unfortunately I signed a release that say that I can't disclosure the questions outside of the board but I can say that all questions was different than what everyone say or expect.

I hope to enter, if not and I can I will apply again the next year. Now i done all of my part, now is just wait.

Firefighter sounds interesting for me too but they don't have any opening for hire for now.

[Richard K]

Before I retired I was chairman of our hiring board for several years. I can tell you what NOT to say when asked why you want to be in law enforcement. "I want to carry a gun and kill people" or "I want to be a sniper on your SWAT team" You'll be immediately eliminated. The trite respsonse, which seldom comes accross as being genuine is "I want to help people". A more acceptable response would be "I've always admired those in law enforcement and have always desired to be in such a noble occupation and I believe I can make a difference in society"

[Kmanbay]

Before I retired I was chairman of our hiring board for several years. I can tell you what NOT to say when asked why you want to be in law enforcement. "I want to carry a gun and kill people" or "I want to be a sniper on your SWAT team" You'll be immediately eliminated. The trite respsonse, which seldom comes accross as being genuine is "I want to help people". A more acceptable response would be "I've always admired those in law enforcement and have always desired to be in such a noble occupation and I believe I can make a difference in society"


Richard, very good advice

[colo-pr]

Before I retired I was chairman of our hiring board for several years. I can tell you what NOT to say when asked why you want to be in law enforcement. "I want to carry a gun and kill people" or "I want to be a sniper on your SWAT team" You'll be immediately eliminated. The trite respsonse, which seldom comes accross as being genuine is "I want to help people". A more acceptable response would be "I've always admired those in law enforcement and have always desired to be in such a noble occupation and I believe I can make a difference in society"

I responded something like this because honestly is true: "I want to help to maintain Colorado Springs as same or better safe place that I found when move here looking for a safe and nice place to live.

Is completely true.

Really people say "I want to carry a gun and kill people"???? No kidding, of course this is a reason not only for eliminate the person, is also to send it to a psiquiatric hospital rush. I think that I'm mentally prepared to kill someone if need to do it BUT i will use all of my non lethal resources first.

[Flatline]

Really people say "I want to carry a gun and kill people"???? No kidding, of course this is a reason not only for eliminate the person, is also to send it to a psiquiatric hospital rush. I think that I'm mentally prepared to kill someone if need to do it BUT i will use all of my non lethal resources first.

Some people want to get into emergency services for all the wrong reasons. One guy from AMR told me that he wanted to be a EMT because he always wanted to drive something with lights and sirens. I wasn't surprised that someone would think that, but I was shocked that someone would say that.

[T-Giv]

Some people want to get into emergency services for all the wrong reasons. One guy from AMR told me that he wanted to be a EMT because he always wanted to drive something with lights and sirens. I wasn't surprised that someone would think that, but I was shocked that someone would say that.

That's like saying, "I want to be a Cop so I get free big gulps at the gas station!" Pretty funny shit right there.