LEO advice

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XCastleX

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Hey everyone, I mostly just lurk around here because there is such an abundance of information, but today I'm starting my first thread!

I know there are a several LEOs on here so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

I just set up and interview for the Law Enforcement Academy at A.C.C. for next Tuesday and I honestly don't know how I should prepare myself for it. I'm super nervous and don't want to blow it.

I'm usually good at interviewing but this one has me worried. Probably because this actually matters to me... I REALLY want this. It's not just another interview for an after-high school/pay-for-college job, it's an interview for my future.

Any advice from those that have been there/done that? What should I expect?

Thanks in advance!

-Castle-
 
Honesty. When it comes down to it, honesty, honesty, honesty. Own up to past transgressions, and explain what you learned from them. Embellish nothing.

Other than that, show that you have some knowledge about the field, things that can't be gleaned from watching Cops. Explain why you want to enter the field. Talk about previous experience, and how you think it relates to your future goals. Be ready to answer the question, "What do you want to be doing in 5 years? 10? 15?"

And good luck.
 
Not much more to say than Blistering Silence other than don't bring the subject of guns up unless they do. If they do exercise restraint in your answer. If they ask answer truthfully but don't get wrapped up in it. Don't turn the interview into a gun BS session. You don't know the attitude of the people doing the interview. If you answer "I hunt all the time, shoot IPSC and IDPA, targetshoot, and shooting is my favorite pastime" you may be seen as "an all right guy, wish more showed this interest" or at the other extreme "we can't let this whacko anywhere near a badge" depending on who is doing the interview. If you answer with "I hunt and targetshoot sometimes" that's not unusual for someone in Colorado.

show that you have some knowledge about the field

LE work covers many things and showing you know something about it doesn't hurt. Guns are a very small part of LE work and you should keep it that way in the interview.

Good luck!
 
and if I can add something, don't show that you are too enthousiastic about guns.. I mean, knowledge is good, but don't say you are a "gun nut"...
 
As a former CO State Trooper Blistering Silence hit the nail on the head. Be honest, do not lie, ever, and you will be fine. This is just the oral interview? They are pretty simple. Nothing major to worry about. Just be honest and yourself.
 
Strong handshake, speak clearly with a confident tone. You can even google for 'basic interview tips' and the like for advice on some of the general questions they may ask.

I doubt they will expect you to have a wealth of knowledge on the subject matter they teach since they must educate and train you for the job you will be doing. The Academy is like the military, they will provide you with everything you need once you are there.
 
Thank you all for your responses. I'm reading up on Academy interview experiences and trying to put sincere thought into the questions I suspect they'll be asking.

One question I have is how should i dress? Obviously i wont show up in jeans and a T-Shirt, but should I wear slacks and a collered shirt, or a suit and tie or...?
 
One question I have is how should i dress? Obviously i wont show up in jeans and a T-Shirt, but should I wear slacks and a collered shirt, or a suit and tie or...?

I always wore a suit and tie for any job interview. Better off overdressed than under.
 
Suit and tie. You can never be overdressed. You can, however, be under dressed. Just because everyone in the office is wearing jeans and a polo doesn't mean that's what you should wear.

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
 
Things not to say. First, don't tell them that you were in the Glee Club in high school, or that you like musicals. Or dancing. Don't tell them that you are extremely honest, and would arrest cops who break the law. Don't tell them that you are a a free thinker, and are brave enough to stand up to bad supervisors or dirty cops. Don't tell them that you like guns. Don't admit to ANY prejudices. If you are white, tell them you grandmother is black. If you are black, tell them you grandmother is white. If they ask for your opinion, tell them that you really don't have any, that you like to keep an open mind about everything. Do not admit that you might question any orders. Do not admit to having been in the military; it implies that you couldn't get a REAL job when you were that age. Do not admit that ANY other job interests you, just police work. (They already have a profile for the TYPE of people that fit their perception of a police officer. They are not looking for diversity). Do NOT use the name of other officers on their department , or bureaucrats & elected persons, unless you know those people to be in good standing with the people interviewing or selecting you. TELL them you are prepared to give up any and all personal things like a normal life (family, weekends off, friends outside of law enforcement, personal views, politics, etc) to fullfill the requirments of the job. DO tell them that guns are evil, and a big part of the problem, and the police need to get them "off the street". They like that. DO NOT tell them that you used to take drugs, and that you learned from that. They will STILL hold it against you if you do, and they EXPECT you to lie. Tell them that you like to work long hours, irregular hours, and get up in the middle of the day when you are on night shift to go to court. Tell them that you LOVE to write reports, and love the challenge of taking a lot of crap from stupid people and keeping cool...you just like the challenge of that, and you just never lose your cool. Tell them that you hate sex, will never get married, so that will never be a temptation or problem on the job. Did I leave anything out? If you tell them ALL these things, they will laugh, think you are a really cool guy who knows wht is going on, and will want to hire you real bad. If they DO hire you, contact me and I'l ltell you what to do next!
 
In no particular order:

Dress in a suit. If you do not own a suit, dress in a jacket an tie.

Be honest.

Try to relax.

Know something about current events.

Know something about the Bill of Rights.

If you're a firearms, knife, or martial arts enthusiast, keep it to yourself.

Do not try to present yourself as someone you are not.

Best of luck.
 
I'm not an LEO, but have conducted many job interviews. Do not ramble or fidget. Look the person in the eye. Wear slacks, a tie and shined shoes - sport jacket is optional. Be excessively polite. Listen attentively. Do not interrupt. Lighten up a little, but tell no jokes - act friendly. Speak clearly and distinctly - no slang. Good luck!
 
I would rehearse a bit for things you think they may ask.

I have been before a number of boards when I was in the Army, and one sure fire question is "Tell us a bit about yourself."

I'm not saying to necessarily memorize a reply, but think about what you will say.

No ummmms, uhhhhs, you knows, or other "fillers".

Be respectful, not overly cocky, but confident.

Speak loudly, but don't yell at them. Enunciate your words carefully, and use words that you know the meaning of- but don't throw out oddballs to show how much you know. Be articulate, and if they ask a question that is unclear to you, ask them to clarify it.
 
Dress in business attire, don't have jewelry hanging off your head, clean shaven or neatly trimmed beard, be respectful, speak proper English (no slang), and tell the truth.
If you don't lie, you never have to remember what you said.
 
Ohhh

BS

One of the critical people in my outfit

Permanently dresses in Carharts, a hickory shirt,

And White logging boots.

He is permanently unshaven.

Also a genius at what he does.

If a company is interviewing you on looks,

Then both you and the company are SOL.

Just my opinion.

isher
 
Like everyone else has said. (other then Isher but don't listen to him.)

Law enforcement is a professional occupation, put on a suit. Look good.

Appearance mean a lot to the people who work in our field. (As you will learn again and again in the Academy. Heh heh.)

Know why you want to go into law enforcement.

Don’t lie.

You will be fine. :)
 
This is a "company" that has rules about personal appearance, and maintains uniform standards for its employees. Wear a suit. Sure, it says nothing about who you are, beyond the fact that you understand that there are rules, and that you follow them, and that you understand that personal appearance is important to the people for whom you will be working in the future (the public)...but as it turns out, those are pretty important things. So wear the suit.

Mike
 
Don't overthink it. Everything you THINK you know going in will be either out of context, outdated, or both. Try to clear your mind as much as possible, and let yourself learn what they are teaching.

Just remember, that they cop who goes to the academy and....nothing more, will always be a patrol cop. If you want to become any flavor of supervisor or detective, you better get into night school. Take some Criminal Justice and law classes, and don't be the kind of cop that we complain about in here who really has no idea what his role and duties are compared to our rights.
 
"Like everyone else has said. (other then Isher but don't listen to him.)

Law enforcement is a professional occupation, put on a suit. Look good.

Appearance mean a lot to the people who work in our field. (As you will learn again and again in the Academy. Heh heh.)

Know why you want to go into law enforcement.

Don’t lie.

You will be fine. "


OH GOSH -

Just learned how I totally screwed up.

Didn't ever wear a suit.

Nevermind that i have been doing multimillion dollar projects

For the last thirtyfive years

In jeans and a workshirt and and a pair of felony flyers.

The only point I will agree on

Is I never lied.

Did I disagree? Yes.

Contract fights are the rule, not the exception.

Being a pro has nothing to freaking to do

With appearance.

Systems, yes, Strategy, yes, Tactics, yes,

But what you put on in the morning,

no.

Just my .02

isher
 
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