Tutorial #3: Oral Board Questions.

Introduction to Tutorial #3.

Many applicants taking the police exam fear the oral board test. After all, it can make or break your application. How you answer questions matters – not just the words and phrases you use, but also your manner and tone of delivery.

You need to convince the oral board panel that you have the emotional maturity to work effectively as a police officer. Your answers must be measured, sensible, and rooted in a fundamental understanding of the law and how police officers are expected to operate in the real world. Only the highest scoring applicants make it through to the police academy – and it’s your duty to ensure that you are one of those.

Long-term preparation, then, is essential.

In today’s tutorial, we will review sample oral board questions – the style and difficulty of which match the type of questions you will be asked on the day of your exam. We will also provide sample answers, though we highly recommend that you answer each question first. Then compare your answer with the sample answer and identify points where you could have improved your own answer.

This method of learning from your mistakes is essential for long-term growth and progress. The more police questions you practice, the better prepared you will be on the day of your exam.

Sample Interview Question 1.

“You witness your partner use excessive force on a suspect who is already in custody and not resisting. What do you do?”

Sample Answer:

“If I witness my partner using excessive force on a compliant suspect, my immediate priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual in custody while de-escalating the situation. I would intervene verbally to stop the excessive force and, if necessary, physically separate my partner to prevent further harm. Once the situation is under control, I would report the incident to my supervisor and ensure that it is properly documented. As a police officer, I have a duty to uphold the law and protect the rights of all individuals, even if that means holding a fellow officer accountable. Integrity and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust and the ethical standards of law enforcement.”

The three key takeaway points with this answer are:

• Identifying the need to apply the law even-handedly.
• Prioritizing de-escalation to both your partner and the suspect.
• Recognizing the professional duty to inform your supervisor, even if it causes potential harm to your colleague.

Note that dynamic oral board questions are also asked. In other words, where the oral board panel will ask a question based on your specific response – a kind of follow-up evaluation. The next question is an example of a dynamic oral board question based on the sample answer above.

Sample Interview Question 2.

“How would you handle the situation if your supervisor dismissed your concerns about your partner’s use of excessive force and discouraged you from filing a formal report?”

This type of question tests the candidate’s commitment to integrity, their willingness to follow through under pressure, and their understanding of the chain of command and legal responsibilities.

Sample Answer:

“If my supervisor discouraged me from reporting the incident, I would remain calm and respectful but firm in my responsibility to uphold the law and departmental policy. My duty is not only to the chain of command but also to the community and the integrity of the profession. If my concerns were dismissed at the supervisory level, I would escalate the issue through the appropriate internal affairs or professional standards unit. I understand that speaking out can be difficult, but accountability is critical, and protecting public trust must always come before personal or departmental loyalty.”

As before, the oral board panel is challenging your integrity – they want to see if you will break, even at the level of reporting your supervisor.

In other words, your answers must be consistent in your application of the law and professional standards.

Sample Interview Question 3.

“You’re responding to a report of a suspicious person loitering near a school after hours. When you arrive, you find a teenager who matches the description but insists they’re just waiting for a ride. They don’t have any ID and become increasingly nervous during the conversation. How would you handle this situation?”

Sample Answer:

“On arriving at the scene, my first priority would be to ensure the safety of the area, especially since it involves a school setting. I would approach the teenager calmly and respectfully, introducing myself and explaining why I was there. I’d ask for their name and reason for being at the location, taking note of their body language and responses. Given that they have no ID and seem nervous, I’d attempt to verify their identity through dispatch using any information they provide. I’d also ask if there’s someone I can call to confirm their story. While maintaining a non-confrontational tone, I’d remain alert for any signs of criminal activity, and if necessary, detain the individual if I had reasonable suspicion of a crime. Throughout, I’d ensure the encounter remained lawful, professional, and respectful.”

The key take home points with this response are:

• Officer safety and scene security: the officer prioritizes safety and maintains situational awareness, especially in a school setting, which is sensitive and high-risk.
• Professional and respectful communication: the officer demonstrates calm, respectful engagement with the individual to build rapport and gather information without escalating the situation.
• Effort to verify identity: despite the lack of ID, the officer seeks lawful alternatives to confirm the individual’s identity through dispatch or third parties.
• Observational awareness: attention is paid to body language and nervous behavior, which could indicate deception or distress.
• Lawful detention if necessary: the officer understands the threshold for reasonable suspicion and is prepared to detain the individual if warranted, ensuring the action is within legal bounds.
• Balanced approach: the response reflects a balance between community-oriented policing and proper enforcement of the law, showing good judgment.

In the oral board exam, the interviewing panel expect this kind of balanced and reasoned approach. You not only need to articulate a course of action, but you also need to justify it with coherent reasoning.

Sample Interview Question 4.

“You respond to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, you find a couple arguing loudly. There are no visible injuries, but the neighbors are concerned about ongoing disturbances. Both parties insist it was just a verbal argument and refuse to cooperate further. How would you handle this situation?”

Note that police interview questions on domestic disturbances are very common. You should take the time to be well-prepared for this question type.

Sample Answer:

“In a situation like this, my first priority is to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including myself and my partner. I would begin by separating the individuals to de-escalate tensions and speak with each party individually to assess the situation thoroughly. Even if they claim it’s only verbal, I would look for signs of fear, coercion, or other indicators of domestic abuse, including body language and inconsistencies in their stories. I’d also check for any history of previous calls to this address.

If no crime is evident and both individuals are cooperative, I would document the incident in detail and provide them with information about local domestic violence resources. I’d inform them that continued disturbances could result in future legal consequences. Even without an arrest, proper documentation is crucial in case patterns of abuse emerge over time. If I had reasonable suspicion of unreported violence, I would follow mandatory reporting procedures and consult a supervisor before clearing the scene.”

The key take home points with this response are:

• Officer safety and scene control: the officer prioritizes safety and takes control by separating involved parties to reduce tension and risk.
• Thorough investigation: even if the incident is described as verbal only, the officer looks for non-verbal cues, past history, and inconsistencies to assess for possible hidden abuse.
• Documentation and resources: the officer emphasizes the importance of detailed documentation and providing information about support services, even if no crime is evident.
• Preparedness for future action: by documenting and informing parties of possible consequences, the officer lays groundwork for handling potential repeat incidents.
• Compliance with legal obligations: the officer is mindful of mandatory reporting laws and the need to involve a supervisor when appropriate.

With this answer, note how the officer is not only addressing the incident in the here and now, but how he is preparing for future possible incidents and to help prevent those incidents if possible.

Sample Interview Question 5.

“You respond to a report of a shoplifting at a local store. Upon arrival, the store manager has detained a teenage suspect who appears visibly shaken and frightened. The stolen items are minor and have been recovered. The teen explains they were stealing food because they were hungry and have been homeless. How would you handle this situation?”

This can be a testing question for many applicants because it attempts to add a moral and emotional dimension i.e. a starving, homeless teenager.

Sample Answer:

“In this situation, my first priority would be to ensure the safety and well-being of the teenager. I would begin by calmly addressing the suspect, making sure they feel safe, and ensuring there is no immediate threat to anyone involved. I would also assess the condition of the teen and confirm that they are not under duress or in any medical distress.

Given the circumstances, I would explain to the store manager that the situation seems to be one of necessity rather than malicious intent. I would emphasize that the theft involved basic food items, which suggests the teen may be experiencing significant hardship, possibly homelessness or a lack of resources. Depending on department policies, I would consider using discretion and opt for an appropriate diversion, like a warning, while connecting the teen with social services or shelters to address their needs.

In addition, I would document the situation thoroughly and ensure that the teen receives the support they need from local outreach organizations, such as those providing food or housing assistance. If necessary, I would work with juvenile services to ensure the teen’s safety and proper care. Ultimately, my goal is to address the underlying issue and avoid criminalizing someone who might be struggling with socioeconomic challenges.”

The key take home messages with this response are:

• Prioritize safety: the officer’s first responsibility is ensuring that both the teenager and others involved are safe, assessing for any immediate threats or harm.
• Empathy and understanding: the officer acknowledges the teenager’s potential underlying challenges (e.g. poverty, homelessness), showing empathy and understanding rather than focusing solely on punitive measures.
• Discretion and diversion: the officer demonstrates the ability to use discretion by considering alternatives to criminal charges, such as a warning or referring the teenager to appropriate social services.
• Collaboration with social services: the officer recognizes the importance of connecting the teen with the resources they need, such as food, shelter, or support services, to address the root cause of the situation.
• Documentation and protocol: the officer ensures proper documentation and follows department protocols while balancing both community care and law enforcement responsibilities.

Note that this doesn’t absolve the teenager of their responsibility, but it does attempt to put their actions in some realistic context. Furthermore, if the teenager were to continue to flout the law and make no reasonable attempt to engage with local social services, law enforcement would have no choice but to escalate the matter further. This is about being proportionate and balanced, whilst also ensuring that the teenager has the best possible chance of altering their course of behaviour.

Tutorial Conclusion.

Throughout today’s tutorial on oral board questions, we highlighted the importance of demonstrating critical thinking, professionalism, and effective communication.

Applicants should focus on the following key takeaways from the sample questions and answers we discussed:

• Structured and logical responses: when answering situational questions, always present your response in a structured manner, starting with a clear explanation of the situation, followed by your approach to solving it, and concluding with the outcome or the lessons learned. This showcases your ability to think critically and solve problems in real-time.
• Reflecting on personal values and integrity: in many of the questions, interviewers are assessing not only your decision-making skills but also your moral compass and how you align with the values of the police force. Emphasize how you prioritize ethics, fairness, and respect in your actions, as these traits are essential to law enforcement.
• Understanding the importance of teamwork and leadership: many scenarios will highlight situations involving teamwork, conflict resolution, or leadership. Always underscore the significance of collaboration, respecting chain of command, and being able to lead or support colleagues effectively, especially in high-pressure environments.
• Empathy and de-escalation skills: questions that focus on conflict or tension with civilians require demonstrating empathy, de-escalation techniques, and active listening. Police officers often work in stressful situations where emotions run high, and showing your ability to maintain calm, diffuse tensions, and handle delicate conversations is critical.
• Balancing tactical and emotional intelligence: interviewers are interested in how well you balance quick, tactical thinking with emotional intelligence. Show that you are able to assess situations swiftly while also considering the human factors involved, ensuring that your responses are both effective and considerate.
• Learning from experience and continuous improvement: many questions will touch on past experiences or hypothetical situations to gauge how you learn and adapt. Be sure to reflect on previous lessons learned and demonstrate a commitment to personal growth, as law enforcement requires constant self-evaluation and improvement.

By taking these points into consideration, you will be better equipped to tackle the range of questions posed during an oral board interview.

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