Oral board question

[brandonmartin]

I just failed my oral board for Tacoma, WA this morning. I am trying to figure out what my failings were, and one question really is bothering me. They asked "What is the most important characteristic that a police officer should have?" I thought for a moment, and said "compassion." Am I way off?

[MORA Ranger]

In my oral board they interviewed around 75 people and only invited 15 or 16 to take the Physical Test so don't feel bad. They also asked me why compassion (among other things) was necessary for police officers to have. Nothing was wrong with your answer. Maybe you just don't have the life experience they're looking for. Maybe other applicants were more qualified. It wasn't necessarily your answers.

[samseed101]

I just failed my oral board for Tacoma, WA this morning. I am trying to figure out what my failings were, and one question really is bothering me. They asked "What is the most important characteristic that a police officer should have?" I thought for a moment, and said "compassion." Am I way off?

Integrity would have been my answer (not that any answer is right or wrong.)

[samseed101]

As a side note, im sure it was more than just one question that swayed them. If you're up to it, you can always post some other questions / answers here.

[retdetsgt]

It could have been a lot of things, not necessarily your answers. I've flunked people because they came dressed to the oral board like they were going to a picnic. Others, they answered questions okay, but they seemed very nervous and unsure of themselves. Cops have to have confidence. Without seeing a videotape of the session, it would be hard to say.

As samseed said, it probably wasn't just one question that did you in.