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Main Page oral board interviews
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Posted by: tacpup82

What are some good tips and tricks for the oral boards? When I ask officers in the department I want to get into, I get 50 different answers. Some go as far as giving their mother a ticket, while others are on the other end of the spectrum. Trying to get a feel for whats going on in the minds of the oral board... honesty is the best policy, but I also know what goes on on the road. So does a "by the book" approach work, or should I go more with my "out of the box"/ discresionary thinking that I usually use when I work with my PT department?
Dont want to screw this one up....

Posted by: GreenMachine

Would you really give yo momma a ticket?

Posted by: tacpup82

You laugh, but I have been to oral boards where they expect you to give your mom a ticket. So thats why I am trying to get a feel for how these boards run...I mean, do you want my answer or do you want the straight by the book nazi answer.

Posted by: phuzz01

We want to know what you really think, not what you think we want to hear. If we tell you what to say and you simply regurtitate it, that does no good to you or the interviewers. And it is also really obvious. So, just use your best judgement and answer the questions honestly.

Posted by: TopCop24

The Would you give your own mother a ticket question was asked to me during my oral boards. My answer...absolutely not. Why not they asked...well sir my mother gave me life and without that I wouldnt even be here right now. Apparently they thought it was a good answer because I made it passed the interview process.

Posted by: tacpup82

cool, cool. I was crucified at an oral board because I wasnt by the book, and wouldnt give my mom a ticket, and said that I would use discresion on giving a 17 year old going 15 over the speed limit a ticket. Oh yea, and I wouldnt run to my Sgt about turning in the 20 year vet over a 75 cent candy bar.
Hopefully this department is a little more open minded and go off thought process, and not necessarily the final product.

Posted by: serpico

What retarded department or interviewer expected you to give your mother a ticket?

Posted by: WaterPistola

i would give the 17 year old the ticket, so they could come on here, bitch, and get made fun of

Posted by: OutOfManyOne

You should have said that you would have cited your mom, asked her to appeal it twice, go to court and get the OT but ask the judge before you go in for the hearing to dismiss the ticket.

Posted by: Mongo

I don't know who my Ma is but if I ever run in in to her she better watch out.

Posted by: devilcop76

Why would anybody be pulling over their Mother anyways? I would like to think that most of us know their mother's/father's car when they see it and NOT pull it over in the first place

Posted by: chiefwiggum

I gave my mother a ticket, but since then things have been different between us since. It's often uncomfortable asking her to baby sit and she's always throwing it in my face at Holiday dinners in front of my other relatives (Some of whom I have given tickets too).... But I still feel that I did the right thing.

Posted by: 94c

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacpup82

What are some good tips and tricks for the oral boards? When I ask officers in the department I want to get into, I get 50 different answers. Some go as far as giving their mother a ticket, while others are on the other end of the spectrum. Trying to get a feel for whats going on in the minds of the oral board... honesty is the best policy, but I also know what goes on on the road. So does a "by the book" approach work, or should I go more with my "out of the box"/ discresionary thinking that I usually use when I work with my PT department?
Dont want to screw this one up....

Be honest, be straightforward and be consistent. Back your replies with common sense answers to common sense questions.

What a great time can be had when the interviewee keeps telling you what he thinks you want to hear.

Before he's done with you, he'll have you agreeing that you should cite yourself under certain circumstances.

Nothing beats interviewing someone who does not have the right to an attorney and does not have the right to remain silent.

So leave the bullshit in your car. Because the answers to the questions are not important. It's the way you handle them that is.

After all they are looking into your character which is something you can't lie about.

Posted by: devilcop76

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94c

Because the answers to the questions are not important. It's the way you handle them that is. After all they are looking into your character which is something you can't lie about.

It doesn't hurt to relax and make em' laugh once in a while. If you go in and you're relaxed and not a rigid answer spitting robot, they will remember you.

Posted by: 94c

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilcop76

It doesn't hurt to relax and make em' laugh once in a while. If you go in and you're relaxed and not a rigid answer spitting robot, they will remember you.

That wouldn't be bad if you've been on the job ten years and are now looking to transfer departments.

I would caution trying to make anyone laugh if this is your first try getting into LE. If the interviewer is leading you down a path in getting to your true thoughts about something, making it funny along the way may not work.

Posted by: phuzz01

I agree with 94C. You don't want to present yourself as cocky or a know-it-all. Be humble and serious.

Posted by: chiefwiggum

Remember if they ask.. Would you giveyour mother a ticket? The correct response is YES

Posted by: devilcop76

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuzz01

I agree with 94C. You don't want to present yourself as cocky or a know-it-all. Be humble and serious.

It's not being cocky or a know-it-all.....it's called being HUMAN and not some rigid interview robot spitting back rehearsed and programmed responses. The interviewers have heard the same answers to the same questions for years. Show you have a personality and be relaxed and most importantly be YOURSELF.

Posted by: RyanR

Hello,
I have a interview on thurs Jan. 18 2008 for the Nashua PD. Was wondering if anybody had any tips on what to expect? this is my first LE interview so I don't know what to expect or should I just go in blind ? Any help is greatly appriciated. Thank you for your input.

Posted by: SargeLorenzo

Definitely expect some extremely far fetched "what would you do if..." questions. They don't expect you to know any policies or procedures, they're just looking for some common sense, integrity, and a level head. This subject was brought up recently so do a search and you'll find out more. Good luck!!! Let us know how it went, just don't disclose any actual questions.

Posted by: RyanR

Thank you for the advice

Posted by: Barbrady

Quote:

Originally Posted by SargeLorenzo

They don't expect you to know any policies or procedures,

Ryan,

But might expect you to know a little about the city.

Posted by: cmagryan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbrady

Ryan,

But might expect you to know a little about the city.

- Agreed. Even if you reside in Nashua, research a bit of the basic demographics with genuine interest. Population, number of schools, points of interest, hospitals, etc - plus a basic police department overview.

- Don't try to answer as a police officer, answer as an honest civilian striving to attain that position. Don't shy away from the phrase, "I'm don't know", or other truths.

- Be prepared, clean, prompt, courteous to everyone in the process, confident and thankful for the opportunity to be sitting in the chair.

- Best of luck.

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Posted by: RyanR

thank you. Is there anything I should bring? like resumes, letters of recam endations. Or am I just reading way to much into this? Thank you again

Posted by: redsox03

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanR

thank you. Is there anything I should bring? like resumes, letters of recam endations. Or am I just reading way to much into this? Thank you again

Yes, bring that stuff and wear a suit.

Posted by: mauricio22

I need advice on what to expect in the interview.. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Posted by: WaterPistola

my suggestion is doing a search in this forum

Posted by: EightEightteen

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacpup82

You laugh, but I have been to oral boards where they expect you to give your mom a ticket. So thats why I am trying to get a feel for how these boards run...I mean, do you want my answer or do you want the straight by the book nazi answer.

These oral boards dont really want you to say that you'll give her a ticket, they just want to push you to see if you'll change your position. If you say you would give your mom a ticket you would be lying, which is bad. But if you said you would give your mom a ticket and you weren't lying, thats worse because they want a team player, and if you dont have your mothers back, why would you get theirs?

Posted by: mcpd704

Just be open and honest, I would suggest wearing a suit and bringing a resume wouldnt hurt either. If they have already done your backround investigation, chances are that they are going to know plenty about you already, good and bad so a resume should highlight your good points. Some are harder than others, some interviewers like to ask really tough questions and try to get you to change your mind and get you flustered while some are pretty laid back and down to the point. Best of luck with yours!

Posted by: TrickyDik

I don't have any up-coming oral boards or interviews, but a lot of testing over the next 3 months and hopefully I'll make it to the next stage. I have a quick question though. I'll still be on active duty status in the military (just a few months left) when I do finally interview and have a board. Is it better to go out and buy a suit to wear? Or could I go with my dress uniform for it instead? I haven't owned a suit in 3 1/2 years since I've been in the military so getting one wouldn't hurt but the fact still remains that I'll still be active duty when I do interview. Will I look dumb coming in with my dress uniform on? Or would it show respect to my service?

Posted by: phuzz01

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrickyDik

Is it better to go out and buy a suit to wear? Or could I go with my dress uniform for it instead?

Absolutely 100% go with a traditional suit and tie, not the uniform.

Posted by: redsox03

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuzz01

Absolutely 100% go with a traditional suit and tie, not the uniform.

I agree.

Posted by: TrickyDik

Thanks, I figured as much but wasn't sure of the norm. I was planning on picking up a suit any way. Like I said, it certainly couldn't hurt to have one right?

Posted by: WaterPistola

I would like to know what agencies in general are looking for when they conduct these oral boards? please PM me the answer if you would like... I am really confused.

Posted by: 94c

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrickyDik

Thanks, I figured as much but wasn't sure of the norm. I was planning on picking up a suit any way. Like I said, it certainly couldn't hurt to have one right?

Absolutely, it'll come in quite handy when your dead.

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