Officer Selection

Because of the range of duties, officers should possess certain traits hectically agility, the big businessman to cope with difficult situations, head-developed writing skills, good communication skills, sound Judgment, compassion, wet powers of observation, and the ability to both exert and respect commands of authority. Minimum Requirements Every part sets its own standards when considering candidates for natural law officers, however most departments require a series of minimum standards which perspective applicants mustiness have.All applicants must be at least(prenominal) 21 old age of age and have or be suit adequate to receive a drivers license because their primary duty Is patrol, ND they must be able to drive to respond to Incidents. Police officers must excessively be able to possess a firearm. In order to exchange to own a firearm, a person must be at least twenty- star years old. Applicants must also have no Felony convictions. Convicted felons also be prohi bited from possessing a firearm, which thereby bars them from neat legal philosophy officers.Individuals with domestic violence convictions ar no longer able to possess a firearm, thereby prohibiting them from meet police officers as easily (Grant & Terry, 2009). Finally many police departments now have educational standards for recruits. tight all departments require officers to have at least a steep school diploma. And many require at least some college credits. compose Examination The written examination is the first step in becoming a police officer once a formal coating has been submitted.The rise varies by department, but It might be a gracious service exam, an exam produced by the individual police department, or one produced by a private testing company. The exam does non test specific legal or malefactor Justice knowledge, but kinda evaluates the candidates basal information, writing, and comprehension skills. The exam result likely contain a number of diffe rent sections, whereby the candidate must be able to pull in and write In English, write a sample essay, understand basic mathematics, memorize facts, show sound 1 OFF reasoning Ana logic, Ana discontinue potential scenarios .For clamatorial ten written examination is developed by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and measures reading comprehension and writing abilities (caperers. Com, 2011). Depart intellectual Interview Departmental Interview will evaluate the applicants interpersonal skills, problem solving, oral communication and other abilities not tested by other examination components. The question is not scored however, the interrogate panel will make recommendations regarding who should proceed in the final hiring process.The interview can be structured, unstructured, or a combination or both. In a structured interview, the candidate is asked a series of questions regarding the Job and his or her specific abilities. Structured qu estions such as Do you drink intoxicant, usually require specified answers direct answers. The alternative to this would be to give birth a semi structured interview with open ended questions on finical topics. Structured interviews allow for a better comparison of candidates on specific topics, pen-ended questions are likely to elicit more information.Though the candidate must pass all phases of the selection process in order to be hire as a police officer, the interview process is vital in the assessment of the candidates attitudes, appearance, and demeanor. Physical capability Examination The Physical Ability Examination will measure somatic performance through and through a series of exercises that will be administered on a pass/fail basis. Measuring a police candidates level of physical agility is a crucial part of the selection process, although the physical agility test has been moot and has undergone significant hangs since its inception (Grant & Terry, 2009).The Phy sical Ability Examination has gone through many changes. Until the sasss the test required applicants to demonstrate substantial upper corpse strength which kept many women from completing the test success fullyy thereby eliminating them from the candidate pool. The introduction of Title VII in 1972 as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines on sexual activity discrimination barred the refusal to hire a female applicant because of characteristics attributed to women as a class and thus the physical agility tests have changed intimately in the past few decades.Psychological and Polygraph Tests A Polygraph Examination is used to asseverate the veracity and accuracy of information submitted by candidates regarding, but not necessarily limited to use of controlled substances driving, fell, medical and employment history and other Job-related factors. The polygraph whole shebang by recording involuntary physiological changes in the body that give-up the ghost when a person is partaking in conscious deceit.The purpose of the psychological c everyplace version process is to measure intelligence and to identify personality characteristics and any mental disorders that may lead to problematic behavior in he approaching (Grant & Terry, 2009). Psychological screening, particularly those measuring conscientiousness, emotional stability, agreeableness, and integrity have been shown to supporter in the prediction of on-the-Job performance across a panoptic variety of occupations, including peace officers (POST. A. Gob, 2011) It is important to screen out individuals who may present mental or personality deficits, because police officers interact with individuals on a daily basis and often in high- melodic phrase situations. Background Investigation I en employment, connecter Ana Docudrama Investigation consists AT a dialect duty of the candidates history prior to appointment to determine fitness for this employment.Reasons for r ejection hold use of controlled substances, felony convictions, repeated or serious violations of the law, inability to work hand in glove with co-workers, inability to accept supervision, or other relevant factors. Candidates who are alter during the background investigation process must wait deuce years from the date of disqualification before they may reapply to take the Police Officer examination.Candidates who are disqualified because of uncorrectable deiced problems, serious drug abuse or because of criminal records may possibly not be allowed to reapply. Training Once a police candidate has passed through the selection process, he or she is hired on probation, a trial period of one or two years during which the officer is evaluated. This probationary period begins with training at the police academy, a school where officers learn on-the-Job techniques prior to receiving full police powers.Officers must train at the academy for up to 1,100 hours, and they receive full pay an d benefits from the time they enter the academy (Grant & Terry, 2009). Training is rigorous, demanding and exhausting. It is also a rewarding life-changing experience. New officers learn how much they are capable of by succeeding at seemingly impossible challenges, both physical and mental Mainland. Com, 2011). While in the academy, the officer receives educational as well as practical physical The Los Angles Police Department (LAPS) Academy Curriculum includes training.Academics, which encompasses taking into custody and booking procedures, preliminary investigation techniques, radio and communications, report writing, business investigation, and traffic enforcement, Driving, which includes emergency procedures ND defensive driving techniques, Firearms Training, which trains candidates in effective and caoutchouc use of police issued firearms, Law, which covers search and seizure, evidence, laws of arrest, crimes against persons and property, sex crimes, crimes against children, and other general criminal statutes falling under the California Penal Code, Los Angles Municipal Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, and national Laws, and finally physical training which builds strength and endurance through physical conditioning while promoting a positive attitude toward a fitness lifestyle. It also encompasses training in physical arrest techniques, controls, and weaponless demur Mainland. Com, 2011).Development Once a new police officer leaves the academy, they are depute a field training officer (FOOT) who assists the new officer to conform into the police culture, or experience the solicitation process. Solicitation involves learning the values, well-disposed processes, and behaviors associated with the police institution. It involves the patterns of interaction that depend on the relations of individuals in particular settings (Grant & Terry, 2009). Foot can have a significant influence over new officers ND assist them in dealing with the inevitable s tress and cynicism of the Job. Conclusion Selecting qualified police officers is a lengthy, competitive process, involving multiple phases. Candidates are exposed too battery of tests both physically and mentally to check over their overall qualifications and abilities.