Any fellow officers out there? I am applying for a position with the Phoenix PD next year. Just curious how it all works? I am pretty sure I can pass the written test and all the other tests they throw at you. I just completed my polygraph in the military so that will be easy.

I am curious of the hiring process, like which sub division they put you, ect. Do you start at on bike patrol, walking patrol, or right to a vehicle patrol? Also I am 38 (retiring from the military next year) so not sure if thats a + or a -. I get 5 points towards testing, I think thats about all I will get extra. The fitness test looks really easy.

Thanks for any info you can provide!

 

Hey we have a couple police and a soon to be on AZ350Z.com Post this there and you will most likely get a response.

 

I'm not from Phoenix but for the most part, most department are the same.

You already know about they basic process. Written, Physical, Medical, Psyclogical, oral and Poly.

Remember that the Polygraph at is 50% accurate at its best, but if you fail it you won't get the job. So why do they do it? My best guest is that its for insurance purposes.

The oral board is by far the hardest part. You will be surrounded by Police officers and citizens. App. around 5 ppl are on the board. They will ask question that will test your communication skills, reasonsing skills, knowledge of the law, ethics, and work ethics.

The basic questions are always, your strength and weakness, why you want to be a cop, why this department, your greatest achievements, etc...

Some department will ask you how much you know about the city and the department. This is to see if you really want to work for them and if so, how much homework you put into it.

Here are some helpful hints....

When entering the room, give a firm handshake to everyone and try to remember their name. ( If you're lucky they will have name tags ) DON'T sit down untill they give you permission. When they ask you a question, don't answer right away even if you know the answer. Give about a 2-3 sec. hesitation to clear your mind and to let them know you are thinking through all your answers. Never be afraid to ask them to clearify the questions.

Here are some sample questions: The questions may not be exact but the idea is the same:

While taking a shoplifting report at a 7-Eleven, you see your partner take a candy bar and put it in his pocket. He then left the store without making any attempt to pay for it. What would you do? This question is to test your reasoning abilities.

I would answer like so: First I would confront the officer. It is likely that he just forgot to pay. If he refuses to pay and he is aware that he is stealing, I would give him a chance to pay or I would have to report this incident to my superior.

If you have to take a life, will you be able to do it and how would you feel about it.

My answer: I would take every steps necessary to end the situation peacefully but if I have to I will, ONLY if it was moraly and legally justified.

when answering, always keep it sweet and to the point (communication skills). Don't blabber on or you will lose their interest. Also, once you give an answer, stick to it unless you are 100% sure that you are wrong.

Keep in mind that most department will have one person on that board to be an *******. Every time you answer a question he will make a noise or look at you in disgrace. Don't fall for it. His job is to question everything you say and make you sweat. This is to test how well you do under stressfull situation and to see if you will stick will your answers.

Background check:

ALWAYS be honest. NEVER EVER LIE! No one looks for an angel, so don't try to be one. If you crash a police car no big deal, if you accidently arrest someone under good faith, a written up, but if you lie about it YOU WILL GET FIRE. Your credability is your biggest friend. If you are no longer creditable, you can't testify in court and the department no longer have any use for you.

After you get hired, I believe Phoneix sends you to a academy to be P.O.S.T certify.

Bike patrol in most department is considered to be a speciality unit. (you have to past a biking test where they teach how to dismount, and take ppl out while still on the bike)

Once you get hired and past the Academy, you will be sent to an F.T.O. (Field Training Officer) program where an FTO will train you. Its normally a 4 phase program with a new trainer for every phase.

This is done to eliminate peronsality conflicts but mostly so that you will learn different techniques to solve the same problems. Your FTO program will be your most stressfull. They will try to get you in fights, they will scream at you, they will question everything you say or do. Its nothing personal but the program is to test your abilities to its max.

1st Phase is fairly simple. You learn geography, basic forms, radio procedures, officer safety techniques.

2nd phase is one of the hardest. At this point you should be driving and doing 50% of the work.

3rd phase you are doing 90% of the work but by now you should feel a little comforatable.

4th phase or F.C. (final checkout) your FTO will be in plain clothes. He is basicly not there. The only time he will ever help is to prevent someone from getting injured.

Here's a site that may help you: http://www.policetesthelp.com/

Good luck, let me know how it goes and if you need more help just ask.

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

I'm not from Phoenix but for the most part, most department are the same.

You already know about they basic process. Written, Physical, Medical, Psyclogical, oral and Poly.

Remember that the Polygraph at is 50% accurate at its best, but if you fail it you won't get the job. So why do they do it? My best guest is that its for insurance purposes.

The oral board is by far the hardest part. You will be surrounded by Police officers and non-citizens. App. around 5 ppl are on the board. They will ask question that will test your communication skills, reasonsing skills, knowledge of the law, ethics, and work ethics.

The basic questions are always, your strength and weakness, why you want to be a cop, why this department, your greatest achievements, etc...

Some department will ask you how much you know about the city and the department. This is to see if you really want to work for them and if so, how much homework you put into it.

Here are some helpful hints....

When entereing the room, give a firm handshake to everyone and try to remember their name. ( If you're lucky they will have name tags ) DON'T sit down untill they give you permission. When they ask you a question, don't answer right a way even if you know the answer. Give about a 2-3 sec. hesitation to clear your mind and to let them know you are thinking through all your answers. Never be afraid to ask them to clearify the questions.

Here are some sample questions: The questions may not be exact but the idea is the same:

While taking a shoplifting report at a 7-Eleven, you see your partner take a candy bar and put it in his pocket. He then left the store without making any attempt to pay for it. What would you do? This question is to test your reasoning abilities.

I would answer like so: First I would confront the officer. It is likely that he just forgot to pay. If he refuses to pay and he is aware that he is stealing, I would give him a chance to pay or I would have to report this incident to my superior.

If you have to take a life, will you be able to do it and how would you feel about it.

My answer: I would take every steps necessary to end the situation peacefully but if I have to I will, ONLY if it was moraly and legally justified.

when answering, always keep it sweet and to the point (communication skills). Don't blabber on or you will lose their interest. Also, once you give an answer, stick to it unless you are 100% sure that you are wrong.

Keep in mind that most department will have one person on that board to be an asshole. Every time you answer a question he will make a noise or look at you in disgrace. Don't fall for it. His job is to question everything you say and make you sweat. This is to test how well you do under stressfull situation and to see if you will stick will your answers.

Background check:

ALWAYS be honest. NEVER EVER LIE! No one looks for an angel, so don't try to be one. If you crash a police car no big deal, if you accidently arrest someone under good faith, a written up, but if you lie about it YOU WILL GET FIRE. Your credability is your biggest friend. If you are no longer creditable, you can't testify in court and the department no longer have any use for you.

After you get hired, I believe Phoneix sends you to a academy to be P.O.S.T certify.

Bike patrol in most department is considered to be a speciality unit. (you have to past a biking test where they teach how to dismount, and take ppl out while still on the bike)

Once you get hired and past the Academy, you will be sent to an F.T.O. (Field Training Officer) program where an FTO will train you. Its normally a 4 phase program with a new trainer for every phase.

This is done to eliminate peronsality conflicts but mostly so that you will learn different techniques to solve the same problems. Your FTO program will be your most stressfull. They will try to get you in fights, they will scream at you, they will question everything you say or do. Its nothing personal but the program is to test your abilities to its max.

1st Phase is fairly simple. You learn geography, basic forms, radio procedures, officer safety techniques.

2nd phase is one of the hardest. At this point you should be driving and doing 50% of the work.

3rd phase you are doing 90% of the work but by now you should feel a little comfortable.

4th phase or F.C. (final checkout) your FTO will be in plain clothes. He is basicly not there. The only time he will ever help is to prevent someone from getting injured.

Here's a site that may help you: http://www.policetesthelp.com/

Good luck, let me know how it goes and if you need more help just ask.