Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Use these questions to determine how a candidate handled situations in the past
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personal traits and cognitive skills
Why this matters:
This question is great for evaluating how well a candidate truly understands the duties and sacrifices of working for the police. Whatever police role they’re interviewing for, protecting the public and keeping the peace are top priorities. A great candidate will demonstrate a strong awareness of how these responsibilities tie into the job’s day-to-day tasks.
What to listen for:
- Answers may touch on core duties such as patrolling, responding to calls, making arrests, acting as first-responders in emergencies, and testifying in court.
- Look for candidates who speak more broadly about the call to serve and protect.
Why this matters:
It’s important for police officers to follow proper procedure, but they also need to know what to do when a fellow officer violates that procedure, mistakenly or otherwise. Your candidates must be aware of the high moral standards the job requires and be capable of overcoming peer pressure, even from superiors.
What to listen for:
- Top answers will mention reporting the incident to a supervisor immediately—or first confirming whether the bills were logged into evidence, which could indicate a genuine mistake.
- Listen for evidence that they both follow policy and consider the nuances of a situation.
Why this matters:
Being able to make tough judgment calls is an essential part of police work. Listening to candidates talk you through their thought process for responding to this hypothetical situation can help you determine whether they’re able to make quick decisions under pressure, and if they take key factors into account.
What to listen for:
- Top answers will show an awareness that this could be a ruse to free the prisoner.
- Candidates should acknowledge the risk to themselves and their partner and state that they would continue to the jail as planned, reporting the accident over the radio first.
Why this matters:
A crucial aspect of policing is de-escalating situations before they can become dangerous or life-threatening. If the candidate has previous police or military experience, they will almost certainly have on-the-job examples to draw from. But their example may also come from their personal life or previous work experience—like breaking up an argument in a bar before it ended in blows.
What to listen for:
- A strong answer will demonstrate competencies like conflict resolution, problem-solving, teamwork, and integrity.
- Look for evidence that the candidate can remain focused and outwardly calm to help ease the tension in the room.
Why this matters:
Creating and maintaining strong community bonds makes police work easier, ensuring that citizens are cooperative when officers approach them and feel comfortable turning to the police for help when they need it. Candidates should recognize this and show a real dedication to the people they serve, as well as the community at large.
What to listen for:
- Listen for answers that talk about concepts like honesty, accountability, and trust.
- Strong answers may discuss the effectiveness of specific strategies, like creating an open dialogue with citizens and building community engagement through local groups and events.
Why this matters:
Unlike many other jobs, police work is a round-the-clock commitment. Emergencies can happen at any hour of the day or night, and candidates must be willing to support their team and their community when duty calls. They can still have a personal life, but some sacrifices are to be expected, and candidates must be comfortable with this.
What to listen for:
- Candidates should demonstrate a clear understanding that long hours and unpredictable emergencies are all part of the job.
- Great answers will show a strong work ethic and a willingness to be flexible, but also an acknowledgment that work-life balance is important.
Why this matters:
This question screens for communication and conflict resolution skills—which are essential for effective police work. A candidate who can comfortably navigate a disagreement between fellow officers may be better equipped to deal with other conflicts on the job, like breaking up a domestic dispute or de-escalating a standoff.
What to listen for:
- Look for evidence that the candidate listens to both sides of the argument and guides each party toward a more productive and collaborative conversation.
- Top answers will show a keen eye for minimizing conflict.
Why this matters:
By asking this question, you can get a feel for a candidate’s leadership capabilities, but also for their empathy. Following the chain of command is vital in police work, but so is recognizing when something is wrong. The worst thing they could do is ignore the issue and hope things will improve on their own, as this could put the whole team at risk.
What to listen for:
- Candidates may mention strategies like talking to the person one-on-one to discern the cause of their distraction.
- Strong answers will touch upon when to escalate the problem to a superior—specifically, if they believe there is a risk to the coworker or team.
Why this matters:
Police work can be challenging and unglamorous, so finding candidates with a genuine passion for policing is essential. You need to know that they’ll find the role fulfilling—otherwise, they may struggle to stay motivated. The best police officers are also deeply invested in helping others, rather than gaining power.
What to listen for:
- Answers may touch on an early interest in law enforcement, other family members in the force, or a higher calling to serve their community.
- Look for candidates who reveal passion in both their words and non-verbal cues, such as energetic body language.
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