Police Hiring: Situational Judgment Tests - Openness and Flexibility

When you are applying for a job in law enforcement, you will be faced with Situational Judgment questions, either on the written exam or during the interview. The questions will ask you to view a scenario and then rate certain responses from very ineffective to very effective over a 5 or 7-point scale. It is not easy for the unprepared test taker to choose the correct answer from 5 to 7 choices.

There are seven measures of ATTITUDE that are critical to master in order to do well on these Situational Judgment Tests.

1. Decision Making Skills

2. Communications Skills

3. Use of Power and Authority

4. Integrity and Professionalism

5. Sensitivity to the Team

6. Openness & Flexibility

7. Service Orientation

These inclinations are easy to list, but sometimes difficult to put into practice. In this article, I will discuss Integrity and Professionalism.

What is Openness and Flexibility?

There are many situations that will reveal your attitudes and abilities related to Openness and Flexibility.

How Open Minded are you?

Being open-minded allows you to explore new frontiers, discover new perspectives, and understand other people’s cultures and beliefs. Of course, it does not mean you will believe what they do—it only means you are willing to listen without arguing.

How adaptable are you?

The soft skill of adaptability is hugely important for employability in law enforcement. People who are adaptable will have the flexibility to change with changing situations, react positively to feedback from their boss, and work well in teams.

Staying calm under pressure is another positive aspect of adaptability. When pressure arises, some people would stand there like a deer in headlights, feeling confused and unsure what to do next.

Others might react by quickly thinking-up ways to tackle the problem they’re faced with and respond. This would be an example of good adaptability.

Do you consider alternatives?

This is a very important skill to develop in your career. How you react to situations involving the public and your partners will demonstrate this ability. When you come upon an accident that appears obvious who is at fault, can you think of alternative explanation that are not so obvious? When you are given conflicting orders by your boss, do you know how to present alterative responses to him or her in order to make sure you do the right thing?

Are you interested in learning new approaches?

People who are open to learning new things are strong in the trait of flexibility and openness. An example occurs when you join a new team. You may have had experience at a different organization that followed different processes or habits. You need to demonstrate a willing to learn to your supervisors and team members.

Learn How to Ace the Situational Judgment Test

Sgt. Godoy’s Test Prep Course for Situational Judgment Tests

Notice that evaluating a response using only one criteria, like Openness and Flexibility, is not enough to answer Situational Judgment questions where you need to rank 5 to 7 choices for responses.

Most of my Police Test Prep courses include a video tutorial on how to ace the Situational Judgment Test. Alternatively, you can purchase this lesson on an à la carte basis by clicking on this image.

Police Hiring: Situational Judgment Tests - Sensitivity to the Team

When you are applying for a job in law enforcement, you will be faced with Situational Judgment questions, either on the written exam or during the interview. The questions will ask you to view a scenario and then rate certain responses from very ineffective to very effective over a 5 or 7-point scale. It is not easy for the unprepared test taker to choose the correct answer from 5 to 7 choices.

There are seven measures of ATTITUDE that are critical to master in order to do well on these Situational Judgment Tests.

1. Decision Making Skills

2. Communications Skills

3. Use of Power and Authority

4. Integrity and Professionalism

5. Sensitivity to the Team

6. Openness & Flexibility

7. Service Orientation

These inclinations are easy to list, but sometimes difficult to put into practice. In this article, I will discuss Integrity and Professionalism.

What is Sensitivity to Team?

If you played sports in high school, you have a good foundation for understanding the importance of good teamwork. In police work, there are many situations that demand a strong, positive attitude regarding teamwork. Here are examples:

1. Do you PARTICIPATE in professional activities as often as you can? Example: If your squad is holding a fund raiser, do you support your team by joining in?

2. Do you ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION FROM OTHERS on your team. Are you INCLUSIVE in your attitudes? Not everyone has the same strengths. How do you treat a weaker member of you team? Good teamwork requires that you encourage others to participate. Do you VALUE OTHERS on the team? These are all aspects of good teamwork that you will be tested on.

3. How well do you COOPERATE with others, including your supervisors? Do you seek ways to go above and beyond the call of duty, or are you quick to find excuses for not being able to perform.

4. Are you quick to OFFER ASSISTANCE to your teammates? This is an important attitude you must have in order to do well in police work.

Learn How to Ace the Situational Judgment Test

Sgt. Godoy’s Test Prep Course for Situational Judgment Tests

Notice that evaluating a response using only one criteria, like Teamwork, is not enough to answer Situational Judgment questions where you need to rank 5 to 7 choices for responses.

Most of my Police Test Prep courses include a video tutorial on how to ace the Situational Judgment Test. Alternatively, you can purchase this lesson on an à la carte basis by clicking on this image.

Police Hiring: Situational Judgment Tests - Integrity and Professionalism

When you are applying for a job in law enforcement, you will be faced with Situational Judgment questions, either on the written exam or during the interview. The questions will ask you to view a scenario and then rate certain responses from very ineffective to very effective over a 5 or 7-point scale. It is not easy for the unprepared test taker to choose the correct answer from 5 to 7 choices.

There are seven measures of ATTITUDE that are critical to master in order to do well on these Situational Judgment Tests.

1. Decision Making Skills

2. Communications Skills

3. Use of Power and Authority

4. Integrity and Professionalism

5. Sensitivity to the Team

6. Openness & Flexibility

7. Service Orientation

These inclinations are easy to list, but sometimes difficult to put into practice. In this article, I will discuss Integrity and Professionalism.

What is Integrity and Professionalism?

The definition of Integrity is, “Integrity is a person's commitment to honesty, ethics, and doing the right thing, even when faced with challenges or temptations.”

As an applicant to becoming a police officer, you hear the phrase Integrity and Professionalism frequently used to describe desirable traits. But it’s not always easy to put these into action. An easy way for you to think about Integrity and Professionalism, is to ask yourself, “Will my Acton Make the Agency Proud?”

Here are some examples that display high Integrity and Professionalism.

• You are having lunch at a cafe and a citizen comes over and praises the work you do in law enforcement and offers to pay for your lunch. Taking favors from citizens is never a good idea as you don’t want to put yourself into some future compromising situation. High professionalism means turning this offer down.

• You are tasked by your supervisor with clearing an area of protesters. Ordering the folks to leave may be effective but does not give your agency the good look it deserves. Offering some guidance as to alternatives for the citizens in question is a good display of professionalism.

• You are giving a ticket to a driver who violated a recently installed crosswalk light. The driver lives in the neighborhood and does not understand why the new signal was installed. A professional response will offer some background and explanation to the citizen indicating that the city is working hard to make everyone safer.

• Your agency allows officers to keep their patrol cars over the weekend. But the rule is that the car cannot be used for personal trips. Since no one will know, you decide to take the car to the grocery store, perhaps to save fuel in your private auto. This would be an example of “lack of integrity.”

Learn How to Ace the Situational Judgment Test

Sgt. Godoy’s Test Prep Course for Situational Judgment Tests

Notice that evaluating a response using only one criteria, like Communications Skill, is not enough to answer Situational Judgment questions with 5 to 7 choices.

Most of my Police Test Prep courses include a video tutorial on how to ace the Situational Judgment Test. Alternatively, you can purchase this lesson on an à la carte basis by clicking on this image.

Police Hiring: Situational Judgment Tests - Communications Skills

When you are applying for a job in law enforcement, you will be faced with Situational Judgment questions, either on the written exam or during the interview. The questions will ask you to view a scenario and then rate certain responses from very ineffective to very effective over a 5 or 7-point scale. It is not easy for the unprepared test taker to choose the correct answer from 5 to 7 choices.

There are seven measures of ATTITUDE that are critical to master in order to do well on these Situational Judgment Tests.

1. Decision Making Skills

2. Communications Skills

3. Use of Power and Authority

4. Integrity and Professionalism

5. Sensitivity to the Team

6. Openness & Flexibility

7. Service Orientation

These inclinations are easy to list, but sometimes difficult to put into practice. In this article, I will discuss Communications Skills.

Communicating with the Public

During your law enforcement testing and interviews, you will run into many questions about what good communications look like. Your first inclination will be to think about how and what should be communicated with the public that you are serving … or controlling. Indeed, it is very important that you be able to communicate clearly with the public, but there are other aspects you need to consider.

There are many ways to give an order to a citizen. “Get back!” is the simplest form. “Get back. We need room for the traffic,” is a more helpful form of the same command that adds the element of education. “Get back. We need to clear this area due to a security concern. Protesters may continue their gathering on the next block south.” This command not only includes the element of educating the citizen but offers an alternative. Offering alternatives, in general, is an effective method to ease tension. This is what good communication with the public looks like.

Communicating with Your Team Members

But communications also impact your relationships with your supervisors and teammates. Asking for help is one example. There are circumstances where you really do need help. Examples:

You are seriously sick. Do your teammates know this? Does your supervisor know this? It’s your job to make sure he or she does because dispatching you to a dangerous situation may endanger not only you but other team members as well.

• Failing to call for backups because you think you can handle a dangerous situation by yourself would be another example of a communications blunder.

• Even when you are willing to volunteer for an urgent task your supervisor needs done, if you are exhausted from days of excessive overtime, have the personal confidence to share that fact with your boss so that he or she can make better decisions.

Situational Judgment Testing will assess your communication skills and instincts in both external and internal scenarios. 

Learn How to Ace the Situational Judgment Test

Sgt. Godoy’s Test Prep Course for Situational Judgment Tests

Notice that evaluating a response using only one criteria, like Communications Skill, is not enough to answer Situational Judgment questions with 5 to 7 choices.

Most of my Police Test Prep courses include a video tutorial on how to ace the Situational Judgment Test. Alternatively, you can purchase this lesson on an à la carte basis by clicking on this image.

Police Hiring: Situational Judgment Tests - Decision Making Skills

When you are applying for a job in law enforcement, you will be faced with Situational Judgment questions, either on the written exam or during the interview. The questions will ask you to view a scenario and then rate certain responses from very ineffective to very effective over a 5 or 7-point scale. It is not easy for the unprepared test taker to choose the correct answer from 5 to 7 choices.

There are seven measures of ATTITUDE that are critical to master in order to do well on these Situational Judgment Tests.

1. Decision Making Skills

2. Communications Skills

3. Use of Power and Authority

4. Integrity and Professionalism

5. Sensitivity to the Team

6. Openness & Flexibility

7. Service Orientation

These inclinations are easy to list, but sometimes difficult to put into practice. In this article, I will discuss examples of good and bad Decision Making Skills.

Decision Making and Action - Examples

How do you react to situations? Many people choose to ignore situations and do nothing. In law enforcement, that is seldom a good choice.

The first step in good decision making is acknowledgment. Let your supervisor, citizens on the street and your partners know that you are aware that action is needed.

In most of my courses, you are instructed to memorize the the hierarchy of responses needed by law enforcement officers. Here is that prioritized list:

1. Protection of human life, including yours.

2. Respect your chain of command.

3. Maintaining order.

4. Enforcing Laws.

5. Assisting People in Non-emergency Situations.

6. Maintaining Order in your Area of Responsibility.

7. Maintaining Good Public Relations.

Therefore, if your boss tells you to stand watch over a store, and you see someone being assaulted, you should have no hesitation to ignore your bosses order and help the victim. Less obvious examples include how you respond to potentially dangerous situations, as simple as a road sign that has fallen into the street. Do you move it or ignore it?

Other situations might include, “How do you respond to teamwork situations?” For example, a team member calls in sick and your boss needs assistance covering for their absence. What should you do? Simple communications is a form of taking action.

Another example you will run into on police exams may involve how do you respond to gentle suggestions from your supervisor that certain skills need to be improved, perhaps by taking night classes? What should you do? To ignore such input would be unwise.

For all of these situations, you need to take some action.

Learn How to Ace the Situational Judgment Test

Sgt. Godoy’s Prep Course for Mastering Situational Judgment Tests

Notice that evaluating a response using only one criteria, like Decision Making, is not enough to answer Situational Judgment questions with 5 to 7 choices.

Most of my Police Test Prep courses include a video tutorial on how to ace the Situational Judgment Test. Alternatively, you can purchase this lesson on an à la carte basis by clicking on this image.

Police Hiring: Situational Judgment Tests - Use of Power and Authority

When you are applying for a job in law enforcement, you will be faced with Situational Judgment questions, either on the written exam or during the interview. The questions will ask you to view a scenario and then rate certain responses from very ineffective to very effective over a 5 or 7-point scale. It is not easy for the unprepared test taker to choose the correct answer from 5 to 7 choices.

There are seven measures of ATTITUDE that are critical to master in order to do well on these Situational Judgment Tests.

1. Decision Making Skills

2. Communications Skills

3. Use of Power and Authority

4. Integrity and Professionalism

5. Sensitivity to the Team

6. Openness & Flexibility

7. Service Orientation

These inclinations are easy to list, but difficult to teach. In this article, I will discuss the proper Use of Power and Authority.

Scenario: Protester Outside the White House

You are on duty during a protest around the White House.

• (Voice over radio): “This radio message is for all officers working perimeter patrol. You need to do something about the protester in your area. That area has now become restricted due to a security concern, and we need to clear the area of all people.”

• (Woman protestor): “Officer, I have a constitutional right to protest, and I won't leave until my voice is heard! This is a peaceful protest so you can't tell me what to do!”

Good Use of Power and Authority

Examples of appropriate responses ranked average to very effective:

• Tell her she must leave the restricted area immediately.

• Explain that this has just become a restricted area and tell her to leave.

• Tell her that in order to continue her peaceful protest, she will need to move it out of the area.

• Tell her, “I am sorry, but we take the security of the White House very seriously. A security concern has come up. You may continue your protest in a different area that I will show you.”

The responses above progressively improve as the officer offers some explanation (education) to the citizen. The best response provides alternatives to the citizen that help address her concerns and interests.

Bad Examples of Use of Power and Authority

Examples of poor responses ranked from bad to terrible:

• Warn her to stop raising her voice at you.

• Officer tells her to move immediately or he will arrest her.

• The officer pulls his or her gun out as yells at everyone to “get back?”

The problem with the first response is that in law enforcement, you cannot allow your personal feelings to interfere with good judgment. It is not against the law for her to yell at you or call you names.

The other responses are obvious overreactions to the situation. Such overreactions can move the routine problem towards dangerous outcomes.

How to Pass Situational Judgment Tests

Sgt. Godoy’s Prep Course for Mastering Situational Judgment Tests

Notice that evaluating a response using only one criteria, like Proper use of Power and Authority, is not enough to answer Situational Judgment questions with 5 to 7 choices.

Most of my Police Test Prep courses include a video tutorial on how to ace the Situational Judgment Test. Alternatively, you can purchase this lesson on an à la carte basis by clicking on this image.

Conquer the Police Written Exam with Sgt. Godoy’s Police Exam Practice Test

Becoming a police officer is a noble and rewarding career path. However, before you can get your badge, you must pass the police written exam, for which preparation is essential. That’s where police exam practice tests come into play.

What is the Most Common Reason for Failing the Police Written Exam?

Typically, over 70% of police applicants will fail the police written exam. The reason most applicants fail the police exam is because they run out of time. Much like learning a new video game, taking practice tests will improve your response time and test score.

Free Police Exam Practice Tests

What are the Benefits of High Quality Police Exam Practice Tests?

Police exams are notoriously difficult, requiring you to demonstrate abilities like reading comprehension, reasoning, and math. Practice tests offer a valuable opportunity to:

• Familiarize yourself with the format and content of the exam:

Practice tests mimic the actual exam in terms of question types, difficulty level, and time limits. It reduces your anxiety on test day and allows you to concentrate on demonstrating your knowledge and skills.

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses:

By analyzing your performance on practice tests, you can pinpoint areas where you excel and those that require more attention. It helps you tailor your study sessions and maximize your time.

• Boost your confidence:

Completing practice tests builds confidence and helps you approach the actual exam with a positive and assured mindset.

• Improve your test-taking skills:

You learn to read instructions, manage your time well, and provide thoughtful answers to questions by taking practice exams.  It leads to better decision-making and problem-solving under pressure.

Spatial orientation questions on the police written exam.

Sgt. Godoy believes everyone deserves access to quality resources for their law enforcement career journey. That’s why there is a comprehensive selection of free police practice tests covering various exam formats and topics, including:

• Written Comprehension: Practice reading passages and answering questions that assess your understanding of the main idea, supporting details, and arguments.

• Reasoning: Test your ability to analyze information, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions.

• Math: Solve math problems related to percentages, fractions, ratios, and other fundamental concepts.

• Observation and Recall: Exercise your memory skills by memorizing details and recalling information accurately. Information may be presented to you as written text, images or videos.

• Spatial Orientation: Assess your ability to visualize objects and understand their spatial relationships. This component also includes map reading and following directions.

Start your journey to become a police officer today!

Get the most effective free police practice police tests and other resources from Sgt. George Godoy.  With dedication and preparation, you can ace the police written exam and achieve your dream of serving the community as a police officer.

Case Study: is PTSD Keeping You Out of Law Enforcement?

I receive many questions about how a PTSD diagnosis coming out of the military can affect your chances of being hired as a law enforcement officer. Here is the story of a recent applicant who is preparing for his second appeal after being rejected due to PTSD. I wanted to share with you, the advice I gave him, because the advice is appropriate for any problem that is blocking your career progress.

Police Applicant’s PTSD Story

Dear Sgt. Godoy - As I mentioned in my previous email, after passing every other step in the hiring process, I failed the first psychological exam due to, "inability to handle stress". 

 I submitted an appeal to the Department and requested a second interview. In my appeal packet I submitted a personal letter, letters from friends, from the military as well as from my current employer. I presented the following in my appeal and interview:

•  My PTSD diagnosis has not been a hindering factor in my life currently.

• After my diagnosis I worked on x things with my doctor. Because of this, I do not feel anxious, have nightmares, paranoid, etc.

• I have never been diagnosed with severe case of PTSD to where I am unable to have gainful employment.

• I have never needed or been prescribed PTSD medication. 

• I was also cleared by my therapist from further treatment and wrote a letter to the psychology department deeming me "fit for duty." 

• I dealt with life threatening stressful situations during my military service and was able to handle them just fine. I provided examples.

• Letters from military service stating that I maintained my composure during stressful events that include being overseas in a combat environment.

You get the idea.

Psych Exam Appeal Failed

I felt the “appeal” interview with the director of psychology went relatively well. I gave great responses, was honest and displayed that I've dealt with stress before without issue. I received a letter recently stating that, after careful review of my packet, background, statements, letters submitted, mental health records, I was still denied.

They are giving me the option to submit a second appeal so that my "case" can be reviewed by a board of psychologists.

I've considered taking a step back and finishing my degree before pursuing another agency or a career in law enforcement, in general. In your opinion, why do you think they've given me such a hard time with this? Is my diagnosis a showstopper to ever being in law enforcement? Am I wasting time asking for a second appeal?

Sgt. Godoy’s Advice

Thanks for your question.

 I am not an expert on this subject. You are quickly becoming one – an expert. My goal here is to help you make the best of a bad situation and get hired.

 My reaction is that you should make a 2nd appeal.

 However, you need to be realistic! With the recent news about police brutality and shootings, you should not be surprised that this is a super-sensitive topic. Everyone involved in police hiring does not want to make an “error” and contribute to the problem of bad officers in police agencies.

You will help yourself if you become more sympathetic to the reviewers. Recognize that there is downside for them to take a “risk” with you.

Try to demonstrate with your answers that you understand their concerns.

Do not act like a unique victim. Recognize that you are caught up in a modern phenomenon that is not directed at you personally. PTSD and police psychology are more common subjects today than ever before. This is a perfect storm with your situations.

For this reason, there is no handbook on how to proceed, either for you OR for the evaluators.

Try again and show empathy for the seriousness of their questions and show appreciation for their role in the hiring process.

Police agencies need good people and favor ex-military, as you know. That continues to work in your favor.

I hope this helps.

Sgt. George Godoy

Shocking Revelations in Your Job-seeking Emails

After over ten years of providing test prep courses for joining law enforcement, I continue to be surprised how much I can learn about you from your simplest emails. When communicating with others, especially during your job search, you should be mindful of these good and bad habits.

As an example, here is an abbreviated version of an email I received last week. What does it tell you about this person?

Hey – I spent a lot of money on this course and am disappointed to find that it doesn’t work on my iPhone. You need to come into the modern times and recognize that most people use their phone for accessing this type of information. I am a former marine. I am a busy guy with family and job. I don’t have time for messing with technical issues.

Lacks Respect for Authority?

The salutation “Hey” is one of the worst ways to open an email to someone who you want help from. Law enforcement agencies expect their recruits to respect the chain of command. No salutation (blank) is also a big red flag.  Imagine how much more positively I respond to emails that begin with Dear Sgt. Godoy, or Sergeant (not “Sarge”) or Dear Sir. If you don’t know the gender, try words like, “Good Day,” “Good morning,” “Greetings,” or simply “Hello.”

Trigger Happy?

Modern law enforcement needs people who are in control of their emotions and actions. The first thing I do when I receive a negative email like this, is to check when the student ordered the product. Over tens of thousands or students, I know that when a complaint comes in within the first 24-hours of purchase, that something is wrong that can easily be fixed. Over 95% of these emails turn out to have a happy ending – including the example above! Don’t wear your impatience on your sleeve when you are trying to get hired. Show your initiative by seeking help?  Yes! But soften your approach, e.g., “Can you help me. I am having trouble with …”

Entitlement?

Another red flag recruiters are mindful of falls under the word “Entitlement.”  In the example above, the references to military experience and being busy are clear indications that this applicant feels that he or she should be treated differently. Be mindful that recruiters, like me, have seen hundreds and thousands of job applicants. We want applicants that are open minded, willing to work hard within the system, and are respectful of the hiring process.

Shows Gratitude?

I am always pleasantly surprised by an opening like this, “Dear Sergeant – I appreciate the work you put into making these courses, but I need a refund…” A good email can always express gratitude, even when delivering bad news. The closing is another obvious spot. For example, “Thank you for your help.” Expressing gratitude is an important trait to demonstrate during your job search.

Cautionary Tale

Your emails tell others a lot about you. When communicating with people who might have an impact on your career, always put your best foot forwards.

Law Enforcement Trends For 2022 And Beyond

Author: Amanda Childress, February 22, 2022

You might have the impression that crime is on the increase, especially when you look through the news on various media. However, statistics on Pew Research Center actually shows that crime rates in the U.S. have plunged dramatically since the 1990s — robbery has decreased by 68%, murder/negligent manslaughter by 47%, and burglary by 69%. This is due to several factors, which include more criminals getting put in prison, the presence of more police, and a generational change (with the entry of millennials into the prime age bracket for criminal activity).

Aside from the above, there are also emerging trends and innovations that are improving law enforcement that is helping decrease the crime rate. Below are some of these:

Community-oriented Policing

Relations between the police and communities have been strained due to instances of police brutality, but 76% of police chiefs want to work on improving this relationship. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood explains that it will be difficult for law enforcement professionals to effectively address crime if residents don't trust them. As such, community-oriented policing, or simply community policing, is a strategy being introduced to help develop good relationships between community members. This allows for more positive interaction, instead of residents having contact with law enforcement only in the context of crime.

With community policing, public safety can be proactively addressed since the community can help law enforcers identify crimes and potential public safety issues that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. A press release by the Department of Justice in November last year showed that $139 million in grant funding was given to around 183 law enforcement agencies. Portions of the money will be used to hire additional full-time law enforcement professionals and to build legitimacy and trust between law enforcement agencies and their communities. Despite the news saying otherwise, this shows how law enforcement agencies are looking to improve their awareness to create communities where safety is a priority for everyone.

Cybercrime Crackdown

Photo 170407735 / Cybercriminal © Dmitry Nogaev | Dreamstime.com

Cybercrime is fast taking over physical crime as a law enforcement priority. Global cybercrime costs will increase by nearly 15% on a yearly basis. This has meant that law enforcement agencies have had to divert a lot more resources to catch cybercriminals, and this shift has changed how many agencies now operate and gather evidence.

A write-up on cybercrime by Maryville University notes that the primary difference between physical-world and cybercrime investigations is that the evidence in criminal investigations will mostly be digital. The process involves handling forensic data for digital evidence. There are a number of techniques for this — such as performing background checks by using records and databases to look for individuals potentially involved in crime. Investigators are also working with internet service providers and telecom and network companies to know which websites and protocols were used in the crime.

Police Technology

Photo 196063919 © Tatiana Golmer | Dreamstime.com

Law enforcement has seen a lot of technological innovations — such as the two-way radio in 1933, the radar detectors that capture vehicle speed in 1948, and dispatching in the 1960s. New technologies are always being developed to improve public safety. There are now pre-crime technologies like predictive policing and pre-crime algorithms. One way this is done is by targeting high-frequency offenders, demanding a quick response from the police, or also ensuring that these offenders don't fall back into their old habits. These innovations show how law enforcement is always trying to better itself for the good of the public.

As for post-crime technologies, DNA is at the forefront of innovations in law enforcement. An article on Nature reported how forensic DNA phenotyping is being used by enforcement agencies around the world. DNA phenotyping uses predictive DNA forensics to reveal physical appearance, biological sex, and ancestry. This has helped police quickly narrow a pool of suspects as well as identify long-dead remains. However, each country has different stances on the use of DNA phenotyping since DNA can reveal highly sensitive information. Solid guidelines must be created before any technologies are used for law enforcement.

Diversity and Inclusion

Data from The Lancet shows that black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by police brutality compared to non-Hispanic white people — with black citizens three to five times likelier to be killed than white people. University psychologist Patricia Devine explains that while it may not be possible to completely get rid of biases, there are ways to manage behavior in the long term.

For one, aside from training the existing law enforcement professionals, leaders are making law enforcement more diverse and start a culture of inclusivity. In 2021, for instance, the FBI recruited more female and minority officers to build more trust between law enforcers and the community. Admittedly, the recruits expect challenges, but they choose to be part of the solution so members of their community aren’t discriminated against. One way to improve inclusion in the law enforcement workforce is by disseminating updated policies, procedures, and training regarding inclusion. This can include in-person training and a post-assessment. Enforcing a zero-tolerance policy to hold those who discriminate upholds a law enforcement agency’s pledge to inclusion.

Written exclusively for Policetest.info

by Amanda Childress

5 Tech Advancements Transforming Police Work

Author: Amanda Childress, February 26, 2021

Police work and technology go hand-in-hand. In fact, the global law enforcement software market which was worth $10.42 billion in 2019 is expected to rise to 22.12 billion by 2027. This market develops the software which police use to organize criminal records and find suspects. Its rapid growth is driven by data, the increasing adoption of smart devices, and the rise of public security infrastructure for smart city law enforcement. This underscores the massive role of new tech advancements in transforming police work, and it brings us to our first key point.

Biometric Software

The protection of communities and of the police themselves rely heavily on the latest biometric software. While previously limited to fingerprints, today’s police databases are increasingly transitioning towards Next Generation Identification (NGI) systems. In a nutshell, NGI includes not only fingerprints but also palm prints, irises, and facial recognition data, which are all stored in encrypted police databases. Meanwhile, serial violent offenders today are also now subject to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). As a digital platform for DNA data, CODIS streamlines police work that involves comparing DNA profiles from different and connected cases. In addition, American law enforcement is working with the international community to digitize global biometric data through the Foreign Biometric Exchange (FBE) Program. Through the FBE, it’s easier for law enforcement to monitor and stop terrorist and transnational criminal activities.

Advanced Sensors

The use of advanced sensors help police to quickly identify and neutralize threats. For instance, the new ShotSpotter is an advanced acoustic sensor that helps police pinpoint the source of gunshots, which is especially helpful in dense neighborhoods. It’s trained to pick up “loud and impulsive sounds” at 120 to 160 decibels – the typical volume range of gunshots. Advanced sensors actually aren’t new in law enforcement. SWAT teams have always used thermal imaging to pinpoint individuals during hostile and low-visibility situations. Whether visual or acoustic, advanced sensors save lives.

Sonic Weapons

These new weapons are designed to stun suspects rather than deliver lethal force. Previously, sonic weapons made the news when they were used for crowd control. In the recent stand-off on Interstate 95, SWAT police used a sonic weapon called a Long Range Acoustic Device to put a halt to hostilities. We are likely to see more of these sonic devices being developed and deployed in the future.

Virtual Reality

Following national calls for better police training, some jurisdictions are turning to virtual reality (VR) to pick up the slack. At the Princeton Police Department (PPD), officers are learning to deescalate and manage situations better by using VR headsets. Virtual reality allows us to take information taught in a classroom setting to our officers and immerse them into scenarios that they may encounter in real life and to evaluate their skill,” explained PPD Chief Christopher Morgan. “Also, it allows the officers to better understand their skill sets and become more comfortable in many types of situations. We are the first in the state to utilize this type of training.” While they’re the first, the PPD is not the only department exploring this training option.

Artificial Intelligence

There are many ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming police work. Facial recognition technology is built on AI, and it’s now a crucial part of biometric police databases. AI can also be used to streamline the processing of image and video evidence. By analyzing patterns in the visual data, AI can greatly hasten the identification of suspects and uncovering of leads for criminal cases. Apart from that, AI can also be used similarly to differentiate counterfeit and genuine goods, which has law enforcement applications in a number of industries.

Although these aren’t the only tech advancements shaping the future of police work, these are the ones with the biggest impact on how the law is enforced here in the U.S. In the future, new technologies will play an even larger role in properly equipping the police for the job.

Snatching Success from the Jaws of Disaster

How do I reply when asked, "Why have you applied to so many agencies (12) in the last year?"

I recently received the above question from a nervous student who was entering the final stages of the hiring process. He was nervous because he had successfully gotten into the police academy earlier in the year but failed due to problems he had with the shotgun training. Would the fact that he had applied to so many agencies create the impression that he was a loser?

To add to his nervousness, he felt that he made additional mistakes along the way. This realization caused his self-confidence to go down and his self-doubt to go up. How can he get past the next interview?

There are several valuable lessons in this story for all law enforcement applicants.

Applicant’s Original Strategy

I initially applied to 6 departments to increase my chances of getting hired.

Applicant Regret #1 – Over Confidence?

When I was invited to 3 interviews, I dropped out of the other 3 departments, because they were not my favorite agencies. That turned out to be a big mistake, as I failed the 3 interviews I chose to pursue! Now, I was out of options.

Applicant Regret #2 – Why I Failed the Interviews

I failed the interview because they said I didn’t sound like I wanted the job. Which makes sense to me now. I wasn’t very enthusiastic during the interview. I was questioning the whole process.

Applicant Regret #3 – Dismissed from Academy

Cross Eye Dominant can be corrected

“I started the academy and failed the firearms portion of the academy. I found out I was Cross-Eye Dominant. There wasn’t enough time for me to get adjusted and pass the shot gun test. If I had known this was an problem for me, I could have corrected it earlier”

Depression and Doubt

“It’s been over 6 months now. I am restarting the process. I got my act together and decided to try again after failing academy and not getting hired. I applied to 7 agencies. On one hand, am more committed than ever to becoming a police officer, but on the other hand, I am afraid that all these applications will hurt my image.”

Sgt. Godoy’s Advice

Take pride in making smart moves when looking for a job

1. The fact that you applied to multiple agencies should be worn as a badge of pride. It is a smart move given the competitive nature of hiring. I recommend to all of my students,  “Do not to put all your eggs into one basket.” Applying to multiple agencies DOES NOT mean that you are less excited about one over the other.

2. Acknowledging that the field is competitive is a compliment to anyone hiring/interviewing you. It demonstrates to the interviewer that you see the position as hard to come by and having real value.

3. Reapplying to multiple agencies shows wisdom and commitment to the field. NOT giving up is a great quality in law enforcement.

4. As my Mastering the Police Interview course states, showing enthusiasm and awareness of each specific agency is critical. Therefore,  you will go into future interview ENTHUSIASTIC and up to speed on local issues – right?

5. Failing shooting? Cross-eye dominant? They would not care about this if it wasn’t important. You have taken steps to understand and correct for being cross-eye dominant. This is more solid evidence that you are committed and adaptable. So, talk about it!

6. DO NOT apologize like these were failures – they were learning experiences.

7. DO NOT use the term “getting my act together.”

8. Having competed side-by-side with others at the academy, you are now confident that you are well qualified both mentally and physically.

You are now motivated more than ever.

Good luck – Sgt. Godoy

Smoothing over Past SINs

Whether on your initial application or during a final interview, most job candidates will have to explain minor sins of their past. This week, I received the following email from a very conscientious applicant. In this article, I will explain how to turn this type of problem into an advantage for yourself.

Dear Sergeant Godoy,

The personal history statement (PHS) asked if I had ever received disciplinary action from a previous employer. I received one while working security for Target about a year ago. Here is what I put down for the explanation: 

"I have received a disciplinary action only once. My employer was Target. It happened in 2020. I was employed as a security specialist. A disciplinary action was given because the company did not specify rules based on the totality of the circumstance. I searched a customer's unpaid shopping bag with verbal consent. The policy indicated, "no AP (Asset Protection) member shall conduct a search on guests' personal bags." The company did not define what personal bags are and what happens if I obtain consent from the customer. At the time of the search, the customer did not pay for the merchandise, and the merchandise was still considered the company's property. A week after receiving the disciplinary action, the company changed the policy to "no AP member shall search anything that is in a guest's possession under any circumstance."

At first glance, this sounds like a well written explanation. But there are several improvements that would turn this problem into an advantage for your application. Read on to learn what advice I sent to this deserving candidate.

Charlie -

Your explanation is pretty good. However, there are very small refinements that will help you – in life as well as on this application.

1. Provide Proper Context.

The term “disciplinary action” can cover a wide range of sins. Did you get fired? Did you get a hand-slap? Etc. If it was a “warning” that sounds better than getting fired. From your description, it is hard to tell what “action” the company responded with. Take control of the playing field!

2. Accept Responsibility.

When you get in trouble, accept responsibility, and do not blame ”the system.” A better phrasing, therefore, would be something to the effect that:

“I received a minor warning when I misinterpreted the company policy about what type of customer bag could be searched. My error led to the company improving the wording of their policy.”

3. Be a Problem Solver.

Presenting yourself as an individual who helps solve problems and improve organizational outcomes is a very attractive quality when seeking a job. This wording demonstrates you accepting responsibility, not blaming the company for their error, AND showing a positive outcome that you contributed to. Even if this is an exaggeration, your involvement did help improve the policy.

4. Be Concise

Following my example – strive to keep these explanations as short as possible. Don’t throw more fuel on the fire.

Sergeant George Godoy

How my Student Failed His Police Panel Interview

I received the following email that really upset me. Here is student who claims he studied my Mastering the Interview prep course, but really fell on his face when his opportunity to shine came up. Everyone interested in joining law enforcement should READ THIS STORY - even though it is frustrating.

"After studying your Mastering the Interview course, I took my interview today and did poorly. There were 3 questions that caught me off guard and I couldn't come up with a good answer in time. What would you recommend?

1. Why should police have a positive attitude and have good community relations?

2.What should the police be doing to improve community relations that they aren't already doing?.

3. What preparations did you take to get ready for a career law enforcement?"

This applicant’s failure highlights several valuable lessons:

Lesson 1: Get Prepared for your Interview

The oral interview is probably the most important step in the hiring process. This is true for any job in any field. You are almost to the end of the long journey, so don’t screw this up! Good preparation will be apparent to your reviewers not only in your answers but your overall self-confidence.

Lesson 2: Don’t Waste your Money

The main point presented in my prep course is that you need to understand what issues are facing the organization you are applying to. What are they proud of and what challenges do they face? This is especially true in law enforcement. How this student missed this point is UNBELIEVABLE to me, but a good lesson for all of us. Sometimes we read things without actually learning anything! Ask yourself a day after you study some subject, “What did you learn?”

Don’t waste your money on my prep courses if you’re not going to take it seriously!

Lesson 3: Do Your Own Research

Normally, I am very sensitive to any question submitted by students, but in this case, my answer was terse and placed the monkey back in the place it belongs - the applicant. Take ownership of your career and your job search. Look what happened when I cut and pasted the exact question from the email into a Google search!

Here is that link again -

Mastering the Interview prep course.

Sgt. George Godoy

Future Police Officers - Maybe You'll Be Driving a Tesla?

As the country moves towards more electric vehicles, future generations of law enforcement officers may find themselves driving a Tesla for their squad cars. Some cities, like Fremont, CA have already started using them (Model S). Of course, Fremont is the site of Tesla’s first manufacturing plant. Here are some other police departments currently using them.

Tesla Model S Police Cruiser

Today, you can find lots of stories about how this deployment is going. As an example, the mayor of Tulsa, OK promised to buy a fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks if they decided to build their new manufacturing plant in that city. Unfortunately, the decision went to Austin, TX. One thing for sure, you will certainly look great in this dream car.

Meanwhile, in Bargersville, Indiana, the first electric police cruiser has been a big hit. Even though the towns’ population is only 7,700, the town deployed their first Tesla in August 2019. The department reports that they are saving about $300 per month on gas. Better yet, the citizens love it, even when they get pulled over. Another benefit officers like about it is the lack of noise – the ability to be as stealthy as possible.

NYPD rolls out Tesla Model 3 police car.

The nation’s largest police department, NYPD, just rolled out a new Model 3, the cheaper version of the Tesla.

If you are joining law enforcement now, there is a good chance you will be driving one someday soon!

A New Generation of Police Officers

On September 29, 2021, I received this nice email from a student who purchased my PELLETB prep course nine months earlier:

“Sgt. Godoy,

I wanted to thank you for the prep course. I am happy to report that I have completed the entire hiring process and will be starting at the police academy in 3-weeks. This is my dream come true!

Donnalou Ramirez”

The email by itself was not exceptional. I receive lots of these messages each year and appreciate all of them. In this case, however, I was in for a surprise. Donnalou turned out to be truly exceptional. I think that current applicants will find her story interesting and learn some valuable life’s lessons from her.

Donnalou Ramirez

Motivation to become a Police Officer

As a child, I looked up to my parents who were both law enforcement officers. For most of my life, however, I desired to become a lawyer (a prosecutor). Towards that goal, I attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I majored in legal studies and minored in sociology. During my sophomore year of college, I got my first internship as an intern at a District Attorney’s office in the bay area. The experience was not gratifying. I realized working behind the scenes and primarily with litigation was not for me. I wanted to have a more direct impact on the world I live in.

Changing Course

Following my internship, I decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. Before I left this academic phase of my life, I decided to get a master’s degree in Business Administration. I felt that this would help me become a stronger leader and improve my communicational skills. As soon as I finished my master’s degree, I started applying to multiple law enforcement agencies in my region.

Hurdles Along the Way

For me, the hardest part was getting started with the application process. Locating and organizing all the paperwork and information was time consuming and sometimes frustrating. I needed to contact former employers, coworkers, close friends and family to let them know they might be contacted. It was difficult to locate specific information such as current home addresses, emails addresses and phone numbers

Donnalou Ramirez - from soccer to police officer

Even with my recent college experience, I was nervous about each step of the hiring process including the written exam, which was the California PELLETB. The agencies I was applying to had higher standards than most. They required a T-score of 50 to pass instead of the more common 48. I purchased Sergeant Godoy’s PELLETB QuikPrep course, studied diligently and passed the written test without trouble.

My agencies required that you pass the written exam before being invited to the physical abilities test. I was already in great shape because of my many years playing soccer. More recently, have been focused on competitive bodybuilding and became nationally recognized in that sport. Bodybuilding taught me as much about willpower and mental strength as it did physical strength.

Advanced Assessments were More Challenging

Next was the oral interview. I prepared for my interview by attending my desired agency’s online workshop, studying the Mastering the Police Interview course, and by running through mock interviews with former law enforcement officers. It is important to be able to advocate for yourself and confidently be able to tell your story. Equally important is that you answer every question concisely and thoroughly. Some questions will be more direct, for example “Why do you want to be a police officer?” and other questions will have multiple parts. Much like future police work, you need to PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS.

My agency started its background investigation after I had ranked in the top tier for my oral interview. Things like the Psych exam and Polygraph were conducted in parallel over the next several months. These tests were more challenging than the written test and I was grateful I had Sergeant Godoy’s advanced courses to guide me through them.

I received my conditional offer after completion of the polygraph and background. Once, my background was completed, my entire application up to this point was reviewed by the hiring board panel, then I received a conditional offer of employment.

In retrospect, the exams were not as hard as I expected. Part of the reason certainly is due to the preparation I did. Waiting to hear your results and not knowing how long to be wait was the most frustrating part. I never was quite sure what the timeline was. Get use to the hurry-up and wait process. Police work is like this. I believe the extensive police hiring process gives you a great taste of the kind of stress you will face during the job. It is crucial to learn to be patient with the waiting and the unknown.

Advice for Others

1.    Start getting in good Shape …

months before you apply. Do not put this off. Female candidates need to work on their upper-body strength. I observed several females struggled getting over the 6-ft. wall, so don’t underestimate this challenge.

2.    You can never be overprepared …

no matter how smart you are. I found Sergeant Godoy’s courses based upon their good reputation and was not disappointed. The agencies I applied to had far more applicants than openings, so scoring higher than my competitors was important.

3.    Take one step at a time

For example, don’t spend time studying for the Polygraph or Interview until you need to.

4.    Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Keep it in mind that every interaction with the recruiting staff is a good opportunity to build a relationship. Also, if you know anyone who is working, or has worked for the department, reach out to them, and ask questions about the department’s moral, polices, issues, etc.

5.    Finish Strong

The advanced assessments, like the Polygraph and Interview, are places where good preparation will make or break you. I strongly recommend the technique of rehearsing your answers with a friend or family member using the questions in Sgt. Godoy’s advanced courses. The stress of taking these evaluations can cause you to fumble questions that would otherwise be straightforward if you only took time to think about them beforehand.

6.    Commit yourself to success

Donnalou Ramirez

The most useful advice I received along the way is to make sure your heart is invested in your pursuits. When you are fully committed, the challenges become easier to cope with. The most useful advice I’d give others is to never give up or lose faith pursuing what you are truly passionate about. When there is a will, there is a way.

7. Keep yourself pumped up

This was my formula for success. I am certainly very excited about joining the academy in the next few days.

Donnalou Ramirez

FBI Recruiting More Woman and Minorities - Law Enforcement Experience Not Required

Reprinted with author’s Permission: Sara Sidery, WDRB Media.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville's FBI is looking for more women and minorities to become special agents as the agency seeks people from all backgrounds. Experience in law enforcement isn't required.

One of Louisville's top agents made a career change to join the agency.

"Truth be told, even though working as a FBI special agent has been a dream job, it was not my first thought," said Quincy Barnett, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at FBI Louisville.

Quincy Barnett, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at FBI Louisville

Twenty years ago, Barnett never thought his job would take him to where he is today.

"I didn't go to school for criminal justice," he said. "I went to school for accounting."

The number-two agent in Louisville started his career in the corporate world.

"I got laid off. I got laid off, and this was right in the Enron era," said Barnett, recalling how 600 of his coworkers suddenly lost their jobs at the same time.

"I later find out that one of the officers of the company had been investigated and arrested by the FBI," he said. "And that triggered something in me: that you can't hurt people; you can't hurt people to this magnitude without being accountable for it."

Barnett hopes others might consider the FBI their next career move.

"We have a number of accountants. We have a number of lawyers. We've got nurses. We've got teachers. We've got English majors," he said. "All aspects of society, the FBI covers."

The FBI is hosting a diversity recruitment event next Wednesday. Currently 22% of all agents are women and 20% are a minority.

"As a minority, I can't say the challenges aren't there, but that's something that we're going to face in different facets of life," said Barnett. "But as a minority, working for the FBI, I can choose to be part of the solution."

Barnett says different backgrounds, race, gender, and education makes the FBI stronger and builds trust. Barnett said it's a job that makes a difference in local communities and throughout society.

"If I do my job well enough, either I can stop someone else from having to go through the pain that I had to, or I can hold them accountable," Barnett said.

FBI Louisville will host its Diversity Special Agent Recruitment Event on Wednesday, August 25, where interested candidates can learn more about the career path.

Due to COVID restrictions, a small number of people will be invited to attend in person. Other qualified candidates will be able to attend virtually.

Those who attend can speak with special agents working a variety of crimes, members of specialty teams, and more.

Anyone interested in applying should send an email to Louisvilleapplicants@fbi.gov

Copyright 2021 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.