Oral Board

[syrnypolice]

Would I actually be required to know police related questions at the oral board? I though you were taught how to be a cop at the academy. Questions such as the use of deadly force or search and seizure. This is in reference to the Syracuse NY police department.

[Toeknee112]

Even though you aren't expected to know all the correct answers they may still ask you a couple questions just to get an idea of your reasoning skills.

[Altai]

That's right. Even if some questions will be about specific procedures, they can be answered with a little common sense. If they ask you what you would do if you saw a drunk on the street causing a noise disturbance, they don't expect "I would pepperspray the guy." or "I would take my gun out." for an answer. Just use your head and you'll be allright.

[syrnypolice]

OK, thanks. It just that in preparing myself for the oral board I have come across some pretty tough questions. Such has what to do in multiple victim situations. Like “who do you help first. You get a call about a robbery in progress. You arrive on scene of the robbery and find a child who is wandering around the parking lot alone. Do you take care of the kid or the robbery in progress?” I would probably grab the kid, thrown him or her in the back of my car and notify the appropriate people about the kid and then proceed to the robbery. I know in other situations where the victims are injured you should help the person with the most severe injuries first, but what if they are all have the same injuries?

[phuzz01]

Even in the cases you describe, you are not expected to know police procedure. So, in essence, you are not expected to know the "right" answer. If they ask you these types of questions, they want to see if you panic under pressure when you don't know the "right" answer. You should come up with the best answer you can and use reason and logic to support your answer. Things they are probably looking for:

1) Do you give an unreasonable answer, or an answer that hints at something unfavorable or dangerous in your disposition (such as what Altai mentioned)?

2) Are you overly indecisive or unsure of yourself? By this I mean, do you spend the first 30 seconds going on about how "I don't know any police procedure" or do you rely too much on answers such as "call a supervisor?"

3) When tested or questioned on your answer (they will likely play devil's advocate for a bit), do you easily give up on it or waffle back and forth?

[Altai]

The way I see them, oral boards are designed to simply test your confidence, integrity under pressure, coherance, logic, reasoning, and ability to send your message across. Try to focus on your presentation because they want to see if you can behave as confidently as a police officer would in a tough situation. Try to stay relaxed, be yourself. Don't think too much of it and you'll do fine. I guess it's easier said than done since I probably won't be faced with one of these for at least two years from now but, you know.

Good luck buddy!

[Seand442]

Most of the questions are aimed at common sense, ability to think on your feet, and confidence. Don't think too much. Answer how you would do and not how you think the board would want you to say. If you have no le experience, you don't need to try and use lingo or anything else. Be honest assured and use your melon and you will do fine.