Oral Board Gone Bad

[Jmerk1963]

I was one of 200 applying for about 25 Class I openings. I passed my written & PT exams, and got called in for an oral board. I read the "Oral Interview" section of my "Learning Express - Police Officer Exam: 2nd Edition" book. The book had served me well up until this point, I'm confident I would have failed the written exam without it. However, I would advise those preparing for an Oral Board NOT to consult this book. The interview could not have gone worse. I was asked what my good qualities were, and used the introduction from one of the sample answers in the book, which began "Well sir, many friends and coworkers say that I am reliable and communicate well, and I see those qualities in myself". But, as soon as I said the first half, I was cut off with something to the effect of: "I don't give a damn what your friends think!" in a loud tone.

Then I was asked if I was registered for the selective service which I am, then if I was to vote, to which I said "no, sir". They didn't like that - he asked why and I said that I had only been 18 for four months and I hadn't thought of it (which was the truth). The psychologist said "well, I'm confused; you want to be a police officer and serve the community but you have made no effort to demonstrate that you are civic-minded in the least. Why are you wasting our time?" Which I felt was a cue for the the "why I want to be a cop" speech that I had practiced. About three sentences in, one of the officers said "I really don't care, and don't remember asking you that...". I apologized.

Next I was asked why I hadn't enlisted in the military. They tried to trip me up by asking "Are you afraid of conflict? Are you scared of weapons? If you were drafted would you run to Canada crying".. I think I handled that well. Then I said "no sir, if I were drafted, I would willingly serve my country, and if I had been of age on 9/11, I may have enlisted in the military. This led to a "what's different now" and I foolishly said, "Well sir, I don't feel terrorism is as pronounced a threat anymore...I don't wake up and think about 9/11 anymore...I haven't for quite some time now"...this was probably the biggest mistake I made. Toward the end of the 40 minute session, they mentioned that I had listed spanish on my application...they asked if I spoke the language..I said "not fluently sir, but I could commun...YES OR NO!?!" Yes Sir. Instantly, a Hispanic officer entered and I was told to ask him if he had any weapons on him in Spanish. After I recovered from the momentary terror/shock, I did so, evidently acceptably.

Anyway, it's been exactly two weeks since the Oral Board and I haven't heard...I don't think I made it, because I was informed of the oral board three days after the PT exam...

This was my first one, and I came away having learned a few things...we'll see what happens.

JM

[Bucknut]

Sorry to hear things went so bad for you. I hope mine goes better. What department did you have your board with?

[Delta_V]

It's a typical stress interview. Most LE interviews are like that (although most not quite as badgering), so prepare for it next time.

On the bright side, the board is like that with every applicant. What they're looking for is someone who keeps their cool under pressure and doesn't start exhibiting nervous behaviors or have trouble speaking. They want to see how you work under stress. Although you may think you failed the interview, if all your answers were thought out and well-delivered in a non-confrontational tone, you may have done alright.

[cleetus0219]

That didn't sound like it went so badly, although the 9-11 comment wasn't a smart thing to say.

That type of interview is typical of a lot of hard-***, small time PD's.

Make sure you take the time to think about what you're going to say before you say it. Even though they might be screaming -ANSWER ME-, it's much better to take 2 seconds to think about an answer than just blurt something out and ramble about it.

I assume that these orals are supposed to 'test' your reaction to stress and see if you're going to flip out, but stress can be laid on in many other ways than people screaming at you.

[JANGCO]

FIRST TIME IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST AND MOST NERVE-RACKING,BE HAPPY YOU GOT IT OUT OF THE WAY. YOUR READY FOR THE NEXT ONE. TRUST ME

[Hawkman]

Just out of curiosity, Where can you become a cop at 18? Where I am from you have to be 21 and 20 and a half if you have a degree.

[cleetus0219]

You can technically get a job at 18 in NJ, but I'd find it extremely unlikely that anyone would hire an 18 year old for this type of job.

Find something else to do until you're ~22.

[kmt]

Position: Police officer/police recruit

Deadline: 01/01/05

Agency: Vero Beach Police Department

Location: Vero Beach, FL USA

Salary:

$32,600.00 per year (base, certified officer)

$34,000.00 per year (base, after first year)

$37,000.00 per year (base, after two years).

Qualifications: Be least 19 years old. Have or obtain FL DL. Have a two year degree OR 30 college credits coupled with two years of honorable, active duty military service.

Live within 30 miles of the department.

Be a non-smoker.

Responsibilities: Patrol assigned zone, conduct preliminary investigations, enforce criminal statutes, civil codes, and traffic laws, make arrests, and attend court.

Special Conditions: Will hire and send to the recruit academy to obtain certification ($28, 879.00)

For more information, contact:

Lt. Keith M. Touchberry
1055 20th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960 USA
Phone: (772)-978-4672 Fax: (772)-978-4677
E-Mail: ktouchberry@vbpd.org


How To Apply: Call or e-mail to determine eligibility for employment, or complete and mail pre-screening form from the website.

Agency E-Mail Contact: ktouchberry@vbpd.org

Closing Date or Date listing will be removed: January 1, 2005


Agency Website: http://www.vbpd.org

The City of Vero Beach is located approximately 200 miles North of MIami on the Atlantic Coast. It is the seat for all government for Indian River County and is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[txinvestigator2]

Jmerk

Realize that no matter what answer you give, someone on the board is going to act annoyed, angered, etc., and attempt to shake you.

They are causing stress for you, which puts you on the test for your ability to stay cool and remain objective and reasonable.

[Delta_V]

Originally posted by Hawkman
Just out of curiosity, Where can you become a cop at 18? Where I am from you have to be 21 and 20 and a half if you have a degree.

In Florida, the minimum age is 19. That said, most of the better departments won't hire people until they're 21.

[Dynamis]

I feel sorry for the way you were treated. I just took my first oral board exam for the LAPD and both the officer and civilian employee that interviewed me were extremely nice and comforting. I got 75% on it which is not that great but I learned quite a bit so if I decide to take another one with them or another agency.

Personally, I think that these people that treated you like this are not worth working for. People such as yourselves and myself and others who apply to be peace officers, do it solely for the sake of helping others. The people that interviewed you seem to think that being like a lemming and following all this bs about patriotism makes you worthy of being an officer and if you question then you're not worthy. Well, dude go to a bigger department that are a bit more liberal than these couple of dickheads.

[Chase]

In my opinion, the outcome of your oral board had nothing to do with the book you read to prepare yourself. Sounds like it had everything to do with the fact that your interviewers were a**holes. Rest assured that not all departments conduct their orals like that. In fact, no agency that I tested with was remotely like that.