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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022)

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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 2 preview imageDownloadedfromStudyXY.com[eeeWw+StudyXYoias.Za\Rr'BE\StudyAnythingThisContentHasbeenPostedOnStudyXY.comassupplementarylearningmaterial.StudyXYdoesnotendroseanyuniversity,collegeorpublisher.Allmaterialspostedareundertheliabilityofthecontributors.|8)www.studyxy.com
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 4 preview imageSPoliceOfficer2ndEditionbyTraceyVasilBiscontini,NortheastEditing,Inc.Consultant,RaymondE.Foster,Ret.Lt.for.©dummies
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 5 preview imagePoliceOfficerExamForDummies®,2ndEditionPublishedby:JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030-5774,ww.wiley.comCopyright©2022byJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,Hoboken,NewJerseyPublishedsimultaneouslyinCanadaNopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanningorotherwise,exceptaspermittedunderSections107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyrightAct,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher.RequeststothePublisherforpermissionshouldbeaddressedtothePermissionsDepartment,JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030,(201)748-6011,fax(201)748-6008,oronlineathttp://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.Trademarks:Wiley,ForDummies,theDummiesManlogo,Dummies.com,MakingEverythingEasier,andrelatedtradedressaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.andmaynotbeusedwithoutwrittenpermission.Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.isnotassociatedwithanyproductorvendor‘mentionedinthisbook.LIMITOFLIABILITY/DISCLAIMEROFWARRANTY:WHILETHEPUBLISHERANDAUTHORSHAVEUSEDTHEIRBESTEFFORTSINPREPARINGTHISWORK,THEYMAKENOREPRESENTATIONSORWARRANTIESWITHRESPECTTOTHEACCURACYORCOMPLETENESSOFTHECONTENTSOFTHISWORKANDSPECIFICALLYDISCLAIMALLWARRANTIES,INCLUDINGWITHOUTLIMITATIONANYIMPLIEDWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.NOWARRANTYMAYBECREATEDOREXTENDEDBYSALESREPRESENTATIVES,WRITTENSALESMATERIALSORPROMOTIONALSTATEMENTSFORTHISWORK.THEFACTTHATANORGANIZATION,WEBSITE,ORPRODUCTISREFERREDTOINTHISWORKASACITATIONAAND/ORPOTENTIALSOURCEOFFURTHERINFORMATIONDOESNOTMEANTHATTHEPUBLISHERANDAUTHORSENDORSE.THEINFORMATIONORSERVICESTHEORGANIZATION,WEBSITE,ORPRODUCTMAYPROVIDEORRECOMMENDATIONSITMAYMAKE.THISWORKISSOLDWITHTHEUNDERSTANDINGTHATTHEPUBLISHERISNOTENGAGEDINRENDERINGPROFESSIONALSERVICES.THEADVICEANDSTRATEGIESCONTAINEDHEREINMAYNOTBESUITABLEFORYOURSITUATION.YOUSHOULDCONSULTWITHASPECIALISTWHEREAPPROPRIATE.FURTHER,READERSSHOULDBEAWARETHATWEBSITESLISTEDINTHISWORKMAYHAVECHANGEDORDISAPPEAREDBETWEENWHENTHISWORKWASWRITTENANDWHENIT1SREAD.NEITHERTHEPUBLISHERNORAUTHORSSHALLBELIABLEFORANYLOSSOFPROFITORANYOTHERCOMMERCIALDAMAGES,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOSPECIAL,INCIDENTAL,CONSEQUENTIAL,OROTHERDAMAGES.Forgeneralinformationonourotherproductsandservices,pleasecontactourCustomerCareDepartmentwithintheU.S.at877-762-2974,outsidetheU.S.at317-572-3993,orfax317-572-4002.Fortechnicalsupport,pleasevisithttps://hub.wileycom/community/support/dummies.Wileypublishesinavarietyofprintandelectronicformatsandbyprint-on-demand.Somematerialincludedwithstandardprintversionsofthisbookmaynotbeincludedine-booksorinprint-on-demand.IfthisbookreferstomediasuchasaCDorDVDthatisnotincludedintheversionyoupurchased,youmaydownloadthismaterialathttp://booksupport.wiley.com.For‘moreinformationaboutWileyproducts,visitww.wiley.com.LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2021951959ISBN978-1-119-86055-6(pbk);ISBN978-1-119-86056-3(ebk);ISBN978-1-119-86057-0(ebk)1Study?
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 6 preview imageContentsataGlanceIntroduction...Part1:TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficer......................5cHapTER1:SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWork...............................7cHapTer2:TakingaCloserLookatthePoliceOfficerTests..................................21Part2:BreakingDowntheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)andtheNYCTest..........................coiiiiiiiiii29cHAPTER3:SolvingBasicMathQuestionsonthePOST........................ooooioa..l031cHapTEr4:ReadingBetweentheLines:ReadingComprehension.............................51caters:ExpressingYourselfwithProperGrammar,Punctuation,andSpelling..............75cHapTEr6:StretchingYourMemoryandVisualizationSkills..................................95cHapTer7:ReadingandWritingIncidentReports..........................ool...125cHapTER8:AcingtheLawEnforcementEssayExam.........................o.oo...143carter9:CompletingthePersonalHistoryStatement....................................151Part3:AftertheWrittenTest:MeetingOtherRequirements.........161cHAPTER10:PuttingYourPhysicalAbilitytotheTest........................................163cHAPTER11:PresentingYourselfWellintheOralBoardInterview.............................175cHapTER12:PreparingforMedicalandPsychologicalEvaluations.............................181Part4:PracticePoliceOfficerExams......................................19%cHAPTER13:PracticeTest1:TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)..................193cHAPTER14:AnswersandExplanationsforPracticeTest1...................................213cHAPTER15:PracticeTest2:TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)..................221cHAPTER16:AnswersandExplanationsforPracticeTest2..........................oo.....0240cHAPTER17:PracticeTest3:TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)..................247cHAPTER18:AnswersandExplanationsforPracticeTest3...................................269cHAPTER19:PracticeTest4:TheNewYorkCityPoliceOfficer'sEntranceExam.................275cHAPTER20:AnswersandExplanationsforPracticeTest4...................................317Part5:ThePartofTens.....................................................325cHAPTER21:TenTipstoHelpYouSucceedontheExam.....................................327cHapTER22:TenThingstoExpectatthePoliceAcademy....................................331Part6:Appendixes...337appeNDIXA:LawEnforcementTerminologyandResources..................................339appenpix8:ClimbingtheLawEnforcementLadder.........................................345Index...389
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 8 preview imageINTRODUCTION.................AboutThisBOOK..o.ooFoolishAssumptions.......................cc.iii.3IconsUsedinThisBOOK+.....oovuieiii3BeyondtheBOOK..........coo.iii3WheretoGofromHere.............ooiiiiiiiiiieeAPART1:THEROADTOLANDINGAJOBASAPOLICEOFFICER..........5euaerer:SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWork.............7StartingwiththeNoticeofExamination(NOE)..................................8CompletingaJobApplication.........................lll9Roundinguprequiredinfoandpaperwork.................................10Understandingwhatwillgetyoudisqualified...............................11Actingprofessionally..................TakingtheWrittenTest...........oii...14NationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST).......c.vvviieriennnennnnn....14NewYorkCityPoliceOfficer'sEntranceExam...............................15AddingtheLawEnforcementEssayExam..................................17CompletingthePersonalHistoryStatement...................................17PassingthePhysicalAbilityTest(PAT).........................oooie.......18MakingaDynamiteImpressionduringtheOralBoardInterview.................19UndergoingtheMedicalandPsychologicalEvaluations.........................19Medicalevaluation...een.20Psychologicalevaluation................................oll20Whatif|GetEliminatedduringtheScreeningProcess?.........................20euarerzTakingaCloserLookatthePoliceOfficerTests.................21KnowingWhatYou'reUpAgainstontheWrittenTest...........................22ThestructureoftheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST).............22ThestructureoftheNewYorkCity(NYC)PoliceOfficer'sEntranceExam.......24GettingtheLowdownontheOtherPoliceOfficerTests.........................26Thephysicalabilitytest(PAT)...26Theoralinterview.............ooo...26Themedicalexam...27Thepsychologicalevaluation...............................oll27PART2:BREAKINGDOWNTHENATIONALPOLICEOFFICERSELECTIONTEST(POST)ANDTHENYCTEST.............................29euarrers:SolvingBasicMathQuestionsonthePOST......................31WhatDoMathQuestionsLookLike?.....................coiiiiii.....32Ditchingyourcalculator.................32Additionquestions.............LL32SubtractionQUeSEIONS............iia...34Multiplicationquestions................................ol...35Divisionquestions...............iii.37BR+study|
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 9 preview imageDeterminingPercentages..................ovuiiieiaiiaiieneeienaeena.....39Whatisapercent?................iii.39Howtofindapercentage............................oiielln39FindingAverages...........coi42Whatisanaverage?................ooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.42Howtofindanaverage........................oiiiiiiLL42PickinganAnswerifYouDon'tKnowIt.........................ol...44PracticeMathQUESHIONS.......uuttitiiiiiaieiieenneenneaneennn..45wuarers:ReadingBetweentheLines:ReadingComprehension..........51ComprehendingtheReadingComprehensionSectiononthePOST...............51LONGIPASSAEES.otteeeeiieeeieee...53Definitionpassages................oii.54PracticeQuestionsforthePOSTReadingComprehensionSection................56ExaminingtheReadingComprehensionQuestionsontheNewYorkCityTest.....59Writtencomprehensionpassages......................cooiiiiiiaa......60Informationorderingpassages.......................oiiiiiiiiia......61InductivereasoningPassages.............ooueiiiiaiiaiiiiaiiaieia....62Deductivereasoningpassages.................ieiiiiiiiaiiiiaiie.......64Problemsensitivityquestions.........................iil...66PracticeQuestionsfortheNYCReadingComprehensionSection.................67carters:ExpressingYourselfwithProperGrammar,Punctuation,andSpelling............................................75AcingGrammarQuestions.................ciiia...76Choosingthecorrectverbtense..........................................76Watchingoutforsubject-verbagreement..................................78Pickingthecorrectpronoun...79Usingtherightadjective.................................................82Identifyingcompletesentencesandfragments.............................83Pluralizingnouns...............ie...84ExcellingatSpellingQuestions.............................oi......87PracticeGrammarandSpellingQuestions....................................89cuarrers:StretchingYourMemoryandVisualizationSkills................95GettingtheLowdownonMemoryandObservationQuestionsontheNYCTest....95ImprovingYourMemory...ee...96Diggingdeepformemorizationquestions.................................96Usingyourmind'seyeforvisualizationquestions..........................100Straighteningoutinformationorderingquestions..........................106Determiningthebestcourseofaction....................................109Gettingyourbearings.....................oo.110Recallingandinterpretinglettersandnumbers............................111PracticeObservationandMemoryQuestions................................113wwrerz:ReadingandWritingIncidentReports..........................125TacklingPOSTQuestionsaboutIncidentReports.............................125DemonstratingcomprehensionofincidentreportsonthePOST.............126AnsweringwrittenquestionsaboutincidentreportsonthePOST............130PracticePOSTIncidentReportQuestions....................................133MasteringQuestionsaboutIncidentReportsontheNYCTest..................137PracticeNYCIncidentReportQuestions.........................oooeoe......140VlPoliceOfficerExamForDummies
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 10 preview imagecuarrers:ACingtheLawEnforcementEssayExam.........................143FollowingtheProperStepstoCraftaWinningEssay...........................143Prewriting.........aL144Proofreading.................iii...145UnderstandingHowEssaysAreScored.......................oooiiao......147WarmingUptoSampleEssayPrompts......................oooeeaea.......149PracticeLawEnforcementEssayExamQuestionandAnswer...................150carers:CompletingthePersonalHistoryStatement....................151BecomingFamiliarwiththePersonalHistoryStatement.......................152GettingReadytoCompletethePersonalHistoryStatement....................156Gatheringthenecessaryinformation.....................................156Collectingthenecessarydocuments...........................ooou.....157WritingthePersonalHistoryStatement......................................157Understandingthathonestyisthebestpolicy.............................158Followingdirectionsandreadingquestionscarefully.......................159Checkingyourwork..................icici...160PART3:AFTERTHEWRITTENTEST:MEETINGOTHERREQUIREMENTS...................18cuarter10:PUttingYourPhysicalAbilitytotheTest.........................163Let'sGetPhysical:TheWhysandWhereforesofthePhysicalAbilityTest.........164Understandingwhypoliceofficersneedthephysicalabilitytest.............164Breakingdowntheskillareasofthetypicaltest............................164Gettingthelowdownonthelocaltest....................................165GettinginShapebeforetheTest............................................166WhatYouShouldKnowandDotheDayofYourTest..........................167ShowingThemWhatYouCanDo:TestEvents................................168One-minutesit-ups..........o.oo...168One-minutepush-ups...169Verticaljump......eee.170T.5-milerunLo.eee170440-yardmobility/agilityrun..................oooITModifiedsquatthrust...................o.oo172Vehicleexit...172Stairclimb.o.oo172Fenceobstacles.................ooiiiiiiiiiel173Triggerpullo.oo173Dummydrag..........oiiieee.173cuarrer11:PresentingYourselfWellintheOralBoardInterview.........175ComportingYourselfWell..............................................175Dressingprofessionally......................................l176Actingprofessionally.....................ol176Speakinginfrontofothers......................o.oo177HoningYourQuestionandAnswerSkills.....................................178Expectingtherighttypesofquestions....................................178Answeringtruthfully..................179TableofContents
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 11 preview imagecuarrer12PreparingforMedicalandPsychologicalEvaluations..........181GettingTested,Poked,andProddedintheMedicalEvaluation..................182Whatcanyousee?Testingyourvision....................................182Canyouhearmenow?Testingyourhearing..............................183Notforthesqueamish:Takingbloodandurinetests.......................184Breathein,breatheout:Checkingyourheartandlungs.....................184Howlowcanyougo?Monitoringmuscularandskeletaldisorders............185Lookingforotherconditions...185UnderstandingWhatHappensduringthePsychologicalEvaluation..............186Takingthepersonalitytest..................oooiiiiiiiiiiiiaen.....186Interviewingwithapsychologist...187PART4:PRACTICEPOLICEOFFICEREXAMS.....................co191curren13:PracticeTest1:TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)...193cuarrer1:ANSwWersandExplanationsforPracticeTest1...................213SectionI:Mathematics............coooiiiiiiiiiieel213SectionII:ReadingComprehension.........................................215Sectionlll:Grammar...........oiiiiiiieee217SectionIV:IncidentReportWriting..........................................218curren15:PracticeTest2:TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTeSt(POST)...220cuarrer16:ANSWersandExplanationsforPracticeTest2...................241SectionI:Mathematics...........ooiiiiiiiiiiel28]SectionIl:ReadingComprehension.........................................243Sectionlll:Grammar.........ooiuiiiiiiiia.244SectionIV:IncidentReportWriting..........................................245curren17:PracticeTest3:TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTeSt(POST)oo247cuarrer1:ANSwersandExplanationsforPracticeTest3...................269SectionI:Mathematics............ooiiiiiiiiiiLL..269SectionIl:ReadingComprehension.....................................l270Sectionlll:Grammar.........oouiiiiiieee272SectionIV:IncidentReportWriting..........................................273cuarter10:PracticeTest4:TheNewYorkCityPoliceOfficer'sEntranceExam..............................275cuarter20.ANSwersandExplanationsforPracticeTest4..................317PART5:THEPARTOFTENS...325cuarter21:TenTipstoHelpYouSucceedontheExam.....................327PrepareYourself..............i....327GetPlentyofZZZs............iiieia........328EatHealthfully.............................................328ArriveEarly...oiie.......328viiiPoliceOfficerExamForDummies:—~StudyXY
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 12 preview imageRelax!...ooeee0328CarefullyReadorListentoDirections.......................................329ReadtheQUESHIONSFirst...uuuettiiieeeene...329PaceYourself..........0329MarktheRightSpot!..............................................329Take@GUESSo.oottiii.2330cuarrer22.TenThingstoExpectatthePoliceAcademy....................331RigorousRuleEnforcement....................................lll0330PhysicalChallenges..............................iiiiiiie......332StrengthTraining..................iiiiie......332FirearmsTraining...................coiii...333EmergencyVehicleOperationsTraining.....................................333AcademicIntegrity................iii...333LanguageTraining................oiiiiiiiiiia...334EthicsTraining............i...334HumanRelations............cocoon00335FieldTrainingProgram..........................c.cciiiiiieiieaean......335PART6:APPENDIXES.........................337aevenoixa:LaWEnforcementTerminologyandResources..................339LawEnforcementTerminology.........................ooiiiiiioo......339LawEnforcementCodes............ooiuiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiieeiiaaiaee...2.341AdditionalReSOUrces.............ooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiia...343aevenoixe:ClimbingtheLawEnforcementLadder..........................345StartingontheBottomRung:Unranked.....................................345Officer...ee...346Detective/Investigator.............o.oo...346Sergeant......ieee...346MovingtoMiddleManagement:Bars.......................................346Lieutenant.........ooiiiieee...346Captain«oe...346Major/DeputyiNSPector...............ooiiiiiiiiiiiiiie..347BecomingtheTopDog:Stars..............ooooiiiiiiiiiiaienaenao......347Inspector/Commander................co...347Assistantchief.........347Deputychief.....L347Chiefofpolice.........cL...347INDEXoo349BR-tucyx
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 14 preview imageIntroductionhancesarethatifyou'rereadingthisbook,you'reconsideringpursuingacareerasapoliceofficer.Goodforyou!Policeworkisbothchallengingandrewarding.Asapoliceofficer,you'llearnagoodsalary—policeofficersintheUnitedStatesaverageabout$67,000ayear.Policeofficersreceiveovertimepayandexcellentbenefitssuchaspaidsickleaveandvaca-tiontime,medicalandlifeinsurance,andoutstandingretirementbenefits.Apoliceofficer’sdutiesvarysomewhatdependingonthelocationofthepolicedepartment.Anofficerinasmalltownmayperformavarietyofduties,whileacopinalargecitymayhavemorespecific,routineduties.However,allpoliceofficersshareacommongoal:tokeeppeoplesafebyenforcingthelaw.Thepoliceofficerhiringprocessisunlikethatofanyotherjob.Itconsistsofmuchmorethansimplyfillingoutajobapplicationorsendingarésuméandgoingonajobinterview.Thepoliceofficerscreeningprocessinvolvesnumeroustestsandevaluationsdesignedtoensurethatyou'rereadytobegintrainingtobecomeapoliceofficer.WewrotePoliceOfficerExamForDummies,2ndEdition,toguideyouthroughthisscreeningprocess,fromfindingaNoticeofExamination(NOE)toacingtheoralboardinterview.AboutThisBookPoliceworkischallenging—andattimesitcanbestressfulanddangerous.Forthemostpart,though,policeofficersenjoywhattheydo.Theyknowthattheirjobisimportant,andthey'reproudtoservetheircommunitiesbykeepingthemsafe.Thepoliceofficerhiringprocessinvolvesmanystepsthatwecoverinthisbook,includingthese3ObtainingaNoticeofExamination(NOE),whichtellsyouthatawrittenexamisbeinggivenbecauseofajobopeningoropenings.Thisnoticetellsyouwhereandwhentheexamwilltakeplace,whatyouhavetodotoregisterforthetest,andwhatrequirementsyoumustmeettobeapoliceofficerinthespecifiedarea.¥Fillingoutalengthyanddetailedjobapplicationthatasksyouveryspecificinformationsuchaswhetheryou'veeverbeenadefendantinacourtactionandwhetheryou'veevercollectedunemploymentorworker'scompensationinsurance.Theapplicationalsoasksyoutolisteachjobyou'veheldsinceyouwere17andeveryaddressyou'velivedatsinceelementaryschool.3Takingandpassingawrittenexamthatmaytestyourreading,math,andmemoryskills,andsometimesyourwritingskills.Thoughthewrittenexammayvaryabitfromonepolicedepartmenttothenext,mostdepartmentsgiveaversionoftheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)oracivilserviceexamsuchastheNewYorkCity(NYC)PoliceOfficer'sEntranceExam.Wehelpyoureviewexamskillsforbothtestsinthisbook.3CompletingthePersonalHistoryStatement.Ifyouthinkthejobapplicationforapoliceofficerjobaskspersonalinformation,waituntilyoucompletethePersonalHistoryStatement.Mostpolicedepartmentsaskyoutocompletethisdocumentwhenyoufilloutthejobapplication.Thestatementprobesintoyourpastandyourpersonallife,askingquestionssuchas,“Haveyoustolenanything?”and“HaveyoueverusedmarijuanaoranyotherdrugnotprescribedbyBRIstudyxY|
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 15 preview imageaphysician?”Youcan'tlieonthePersonalHistoryStatement—thepolicedepartmentusesittoinvestigateyourbackgroundandrequiresyoutocompleteapolygraphtestabouttheinformationyouprovide.3Passingaphysicalabilitytest(PAT),whichdetermineswhetheryou'reingoodenoughshapetomakeitthroughthestrenuousphysicaltrainingatthepoliceacademy.Likethewrittentest,thePATmayvaryintermsofwhatyou'reaskedtodo—butrestassuredthatyouwon'tbeaskedtogoforarelaxingstroll.Expecttoexertyourselfdoingsit-upsandpush-ups,running,jumpingvertically,climbingstairs,anddraggingadummy.Expecttosweat.3Completingtheoralboardinterview,atesttoseehowwellyouanswerquestions,usecommonsense,andhandleyourselfinstressfulsituations.Membersoftheoralboardincludeseniorpoliceofficersandsometimescommunityleaders.Expecttoanswerallkindsofquestionsaboutyourpersonalityandeducationalandworkbackgroundsduringthisinterview,whichtypicallylastsabouttwohours.Doesthissoundlikeaninterrogation?Youbet.3Undergoingamedicalandpsychologicalexaminationtoseewhetheryou'rehealthyandmentallystableenoughtoworkasapoliceofficer.Expecttohavebothyourbodyandbrainpokedandprodded.InPoliceOfficerExamForDummies,2ndEdition,wegiveyoualltheinformationyouneedtomakeitthrougheachstepinthehiringprocesswithoutbeingeliminated.Wetellyouhowtoprepareforeachtestandgiveyouachancetopractice.Followingtheguidanceinthisbookandcomplet-ingthemanypracticeexercisesandtestsisagreatwaytosucceedandlandajobasacop.Thisbookusesthefollowingconventionstokeepthingsconsistentandeasytounderstand:3Thephrasewrittenpoliceofficertestreferstoanykindofwrittentestapolicedepartmentmaychoosetogiveitsjobcandidates.WhenwerefertotheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest—thePOST—wecallitbyname.Whenwerefertoacivilservicetest,werefertotheNewYorkCitytest(NYCtest)becausethistestisanexcellentexampleofwhatyoumayseeonacivilservicetest.3Thephysicalabilitytest(PAT)referstothephysicaltestthatpolicecandidatestake.MostpolicedepartmentsrefertothistestasthePAT,butsomealsocallitthephysicalfitnesstestorthepoliceofficerphysicalexam.3Weusethetermsmedicalevaluationandmedicalexaminterchangeably.Wealsodothiswithpsychologicalevaluationandpsychologicalexam.3Weuseboldfacetohighlightkeywordsinbulletedlistsandtheactionpartsofnumberedsteps.Weitalicizeanywordsyoumaynotbefamiliarwithandprovidedefinitions.3Allwebsitesandemailaddressesappearinmonofont.Whenthisbookwasprinted,somewebaddressesmayhaveneededtobreakacrosstwolinesoftext.Ifthathappened,restassuredthatwehaven'tputinanyextracharacters(suchashyphens)toindicatethebreak.Whenyouuseoneofthesewebaddresses,justtypeexactlywhatyouseeinthisbook,pretendingthatthelinebreakdoesn'texist.3Sidebarsaretheshadedboxesyouseethroughoutthebookthatprovideextrainformationordetailedexamples.Thoughyou'lllikelyenjoythegemsofknowledgeinthesidebars,theydon'tnecessarilygiveyouanedgeontheexams,sofeelfreetoreadthemlater.2PoliceOfficerExamForDummies1Study)
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 16 preview imageWeallknowwhathappenswhenweassume,butwhilewritingthisbook,wedecidedtolivedan-gerouslyandmakethefollowingassumptionsaboutyou,dearreader:3You'reinterestedinbecomingapoliceofficer,andyouwanttoknowmoreaboutthejobandthehiringprocess.3Youwanttotakesomepoliceofficerpracticetestssothatyouknowwhattoexpectandwhattofocusonwhenstudying.3Youwanttoprepareyourselfforeachstepofthepoliceofficerhiringprocesstohelpensureyourchancesofoverallsuccess.3Youunderstandthatsuccessfullycompletingallexams,interviews,andevaluationsmeansthatyouqualifytobegintrainingtobecomeapoliceofficer.Youknowthatpatrollingthebeatdoesn'toccuruntilafteryou'vereceivedextensivetrainingatapoliceacademy.3Youcanread,speak,andunderstandtheEnglishlanguagereasonablywell.(Writersofpoliceofficerexamsassumethis,too.)Tomakethisbookeasiertoreadandsimplertouse,weincludesomeiconsthatcanhelpyoufindkeyideasandinformation.Keepaneyeoutforthem.Thisiconappearsnexttoinformationthatmaybenefityouduringthevariousstepsofthehiringprocess.Thisinformationcansaveyoutimeandeffort.TIPWhenyouseethisicon,youknowtheinformationthatfollowsisespeciallyimportanttokeepinmind.REMEMBERThisiconhighlightsinformationthatmayposeathreattoyoursuccessonthepoliceofficerexams.WARNING®Thisiconpointsoutsamplequestionsthatappearinthereviewchapters.EXAMPLEInadditiontotheabundanceofinformationandguidancerelatedtopoliceofficerexamsthatweprovideinthisbook,yougetaccesstoevenmorehelpandinformationonlineatDummies.com.Checkoutthisbook’sonlineCheatSheet.Justgotowww.dummies.comandsearchfor“PoliceOffi-cerExamForDummiesCheatSheet.”Introduction]vAFStudyXY
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 17 preview imageWheretoGofromHereThegreatthingaboutForDummiesbooksisthatyoucanstartwhereveryouwantandstillfindcompleteinformation.Wanttoknowhowyou’dperformonapoliceofficerexamwithoutanypreparation?TurntoChapter13andtakeapracticetest,andthencheckyouranswersinChapter14.toseehowwellyoudid.Areyoumoreinterestedinaspecificsubject,likeincidentreports?CheckoutChapter7.Ormaybeyouwanttoknowhowtopreparefortheoralboardinterview.FindoutwhatyouneedinChapter11.Thepointisthatyoudon’thavetoreadthisbookfromcovertocover.Youcanstartwhereveryouthinkyouneedthemostwork,usingthetableofcontentsandtheindextohelpyoufindparticulartopics.Iftimeisoftheessence,findoutwhetheryou'retakingthePOSToracivilserviceexamsuchastheNYCtest,andturntotheappropriatechapterforinformationrelatingtothetestyou’regoingtotake.Ifyou'renotsurewheretostart,checkoutPart1,whichoutlinesthepoliceofficerhiringprocessfromlocatingaNoticeofExamination(NOE)topassingthemedicalandpsychologicalevaluations.4PoliceOfficerExamForDummies
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 18 preview imageTheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficer
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 19 preview imageFindoutwhatittakestolandajobasacop—fromthescreeningprocesstowrittenandphysicalteststoaninterviewandmedicalandpsychologicalevaluations.Discoverwhenandhowtoapplyforapoliceofficerjobandhowtoprepareforthepoliceofficertests.+studyxy
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 20 preview imageINTHISCHAPTER»Takingthebeginningstepstobecomeapoliceofficer»Completingtests—written,physical,oral,medical,andpsychological»GivingitasecondtryifnecessarySigningUp,GettiigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherhejobofapoliceofficerisn’teasy.Policeofficersinvestigatecrimes,arrestcriminals,assistcitizensinemergencies,collectandsecureevidence,writereports,andtestifyincourt.Theykeepacommunitysafebyenforcingthelaw.Theirjobisanimportantone,sopolicedepartmentscarefullyscreenjobapplicants.Tolandajobasacop,youhavetoundergoalengthyscreeningprocess.Youmustbeabletosolvequadraticequationsandbenchpress500pounds.Okay,we'rejustkidding,butthescreeningprocesstobecomeapoliceofficerdoesinvolvepassingseveraltests.Thegoodnewsisthatgettingagoodscoreonthesetestsiswithinreachformostindividuals.Inthischapter,wetellyouaboutthescreeningprocesstobecomeapoliceofficer.Togetajobasacopinmostpolicedepartments,youmustobtainaNoticeofExamination(NOE),completeanapplication,passawrittenexamandaphysicalabilitytest(PAT),andundergoabackgroundinvestigation,anoralboardreview,andamedicalandpsychologicalevaluation.Butholdon!You'renotfinishedyet.Youstillhavetocontendwiththepoliceacademy.Whetheryoumustdothisonyourownbeforethescreeningprocessorafteryoupassthemedicalandpsychologicalevaluationsdependsonthecityandstatewhereyou'reapplyingforajob.Insomepartsofthecountry,apolicedepartmentwillpayforyoutoattendapoliceacademy.Inotherareas,youmustenrollinastate-certifiedacademyatacommunitycollege,andyouhavetopayforthisacademyyourself.Shouldyoudothisbeforeyouapplyforajob?Youcould,butkeepinmindthatsomelargecities,suchasLosAngelesandNewYorkCity,stillrequireyoutoattendtheiracademiesevenifyou'veattendedastate-certifiedacademyatacommunitycollege.Themoralofthestory?Findoutwhat’srequiredinyourcityandstatebeforeyouapplyforajobandbeginthescreeningprocess.CHAPTER1SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWork]eningop€a|StudyXY
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 21 preview imageThefirststeptobecomingapoliceofficeristofindaNoticeofExamination(NOE),whichisalsocalledanExamAnnouncement.WhilemanypolicedepartmentspostanNOEbecausetheyhavejobopenings,otherdepartmentsgivethewrittentesteverysooften,andtheNOEmaysimplyannouncethetimeandplaceofthetest.IftheNOEispostedbecauseofjobopenings,itindicateswhereandwhenyoushouldsubmitajobapplication,thetimeandplaceofthetest,andthetestregistrationfee.YoucanseeanexampleNOEforajobopeninginFigure1-1.HowdoyoufindanNOE?Theeasiestwayistoperiodicallycheckthewebsitesofnearbypolicedepartments.AnotheroptionistoaccessanationalpoliceofficerwebsitesuchastheInterna-tionalAssociationofChiefsofPolice(IACP)(www.theiacp.org),whereyoucansearchpoliceTPofficerjobopeningsbystate,city,andzipcode.POLICEOFFICERNOTICEOFEXAMINATIONThecityofHappyvillewillconductawrittenexaminationonJune10at9:30a.m.atHappyvilleHighSchool,200MountainRoad,Happyville,tofillexistingvacanciesattheHappyvillePoliceDepartment.ApplicationsforthepositionareavailableatHappyvilleTownHall,123MainStreet,Happyville,betweenthehoursof8a.m.and5p.m.,MondaythroughFriday,orontheHappyvilleCity'sWebsite(www.happyville.com).A$100nonrefundablefeeisrequiredtoprocesstheapplication.Feesmustbeintheformofacheckormoneyorder.Cashwillnotbeaccepted.Completedapplicationswithsignaturesandthe$100feemustbereceivedatHappyvilleTownHallby5p.m.,Friday,May30,2010,toparticipateintheexamination.Applicationswillnotbeacceptedattheexamlocation.Salaryrangeisfrom$22,000to$26,000withexcellentbenefits.Policeofficersshouldexpecttoworkovertime,weekends,holidays,andvariousshifts.TobeconsideredforapositionwithintheHappyvillePoliceDepartment,anapplicantmust*beaUS.citizen«speakfluentEnglish+haveahighschooldiplomaoraGED+haveavalidSocialSecuritynumber«possessavaliddriver'slicense«beatleast21yearsofageandnotolderthan34yearsofage*possessgoodmoralcharacter*passawrittenexamination«passapolygraphtest«passabackgroundinvestigation*meetavisionrequirementofuncorrected20/100tocorrectable20/20andnotbecolorblind«passamedicalevaluationFIGURE14:«passapsychologicalexaminationAsample|goouestionsoradditionalinformation,contacttheHappyvillePoliceDepartmentat123-4567Noticeof|orvisitwww.happyville.comExaminationforapoliceThecityofHappyvilleisanEqualOpportunityEmployer(EOE).officerposition.8PART1TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficerve+Studyxy
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 22 preview imageTYPESOFLAWENFORCEMENTJOBSThosewhowanttoworkinlawenforcementarecommittedtoprotectingpeopleandproperty.Theyaregoodcommunicatorsandingoodphysicalcondition.Thatsaid,therearedifferenttypesoflawenforce-mentjobs.Theeducationalrequirementsandtrainingrangefromhavingahighschooldiplomaandtrainingatapoliceacademytomoreformaltraining,suchasacollegedegree.Thesearesomecommontypesoflawenforcementjobs:®LocalPoliceOfficersandSheriff'sDeputies:Localpoliceandsheriffsdeputiesmustupholdthelawsoftheirjurisdiction.Theypatroltheirareaandinvestigatecrimes.Localpolicemayworkfortheirtown,county,orregion.MostlocalpolicedepartmentsintheUnitedStatesaresmallandemployonlyafewfull-timepoliceofficers.California,NewYork,andTexasarethestatesthatemploythelargestnumberofpoliceofficersinthecountry.Manyoftheotherjobtitlesfoundwithinlocallawenforcementagenciesincludeautomobilepatrol,footpatrol,trafficofficer,bicyclepatrol,motorcyclepatrol,horsepatrol,marinepatrol,aircraftpatrol,juvenileofficer,canineofficer,crimesceneinvestigator,crimepreventionofficer,communitypolicingofficer,hostagenegotiationsteam,bombsquadofficer,warrantofficer,airportpolice,housingpolice,portauthoritypolice,andtransitpolice.®StatePolice:AlsoknownasStateTroopersorHighwayPatrolofficers,statepoliceofficersengageinhighwaypatrolandstateinvestigations.Statepoliceassistlocalpolicewithlarge-scaleemergenciesandinvestigations.Statepolicedepartmentsmayhavemorestringentrequirementsforcandidatesthanlocalpolicedepartments.Somestatesrequirecandidatestohaveacollegedegree.*FederalLawEnforcement:Thefederalgovernmenthastwobroadcategoriesoflawenforcementpositions—UniformedPoliceOfficersandSpecialAgents.TheU.S.CapitolPoliceareagoodexampleofauniformedpoliceagencywhosejobitistoprotectthepersonnelandpropertyoftheU.S.Capitol.AnotherexampleareFBIPoliceofficerswhoprotectthefacilitiesandpersonneloftheFBI.TheCustomsandBorderProtectionagencyismovingawayfromusingthejobtitle“agent”to“officer,”asin“BorderPatrolOfficer.”SpecialAgentsarefederallawenforcementcriminalinvestigatorswhodon'twearauniform.They'retypicallycategorizedintheGS-1811jobseries.SpecialAgentshavethestatutoryauthoritytocarryfirearms,conductsearchesandseizures,andmakearrests.SpecialAgentsworkforanumberoffed-eralagenciessuchastheBureauofAlcohol,Tobacco,Firearms,andExplosives(ATF),HomelandSecurityInvestigations(HSI),DrugEnforcementAdministration(DEA),FederalBureauofInvestigations(FBI),andU.S.SecretService(USSS).*TribalPolice:Tribalpoliceareatypeoflocalpolice.TheyworkonNativeAmericanreservationsandserveasliaisonswithlocalandstatepolice.Theirjobinvolveskeepingthepublicsafeandcompletingincidentreports.TheyalsopreparespecialdocumentsthatarerequiredbytheTribalCourtSystem.®SpecializedJurisdictionPolice:Specializedjurisdictionpolicearelocalpolicewhoworkinaspecificarea.Forexample,theymayworkforrailroadsandinhospitals,parks,airports,andschools.CompletingaJobApplicationBeforetakingawrittenpoliceofficertest,youmustpayafeeandsubmitacompletedjobapplicationliketheoneshowninFigure1-2.Youmustcompletetheapplicationinblackinkortypeit,dependingontheinstructionsontheapplication.Theapplicationshouldbeneatandcomplete,andtheinformationonitshouldbeaccurate.Readallthedirectionsbeforeyoufillouttheapplication.Keepinmindthatamistakeoranomissiononthejobapplicationisgroundsfordisqualification.CHAPTER1SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepBl+studyx|
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 23 preview imageMakeafewcopiesoftheapplicationandpracticecompletingit.Afteryoufinishthefinalcopy,photocopyit.Youmayneedtheinformationontheapplicationlaterinthescreeningprocess.TIPRememberthatneatnesscounts—ifapolicedepartmentcan’treadyourwriting,you'renotlikelytoreceiveajoboffer.Anapplicationforapoliceofficerjobisdifferentfrommostotherjobapplicationsbecauseitasksforverydetailedspecificinformation,suchastheaddressofeveryhomeyou'veeverlivedinsinceelementaryschool.Whydopolicedepartmentsmaketheirjobapplicationsodifficulttocomplete?Thinkaboutit—apoliceofficercarriesagun.Shouldapolicedepartmentgiveaguntoanunstableindividualwhohashadpastrun-inswiththelaw?Absolutelynot.RoundinguprequiredinfoandpaperworkGatherthefollowinginformationbeforeyoucompleteanapplicationforajobasapoliceofficer:Birthcertificate.3Driver'slicense.3Educationinformation(namesofyourhighschool,college,and/orbusinessschool;theyearsyouattended;andthediplomaordegreeyoureceived).3Employmentinformation,asshowninFigure1-3(listofyourformeremployers,thepositionandtypeofworkyoudid,thedatesduringwhichyouwereemployed,andyourreasonsforleaving).Followthedirectionstoseehowfarbackyoumustgo.Someapplicationsaskyoutolisteachemployeryouhadduringthepasttenyears.3Thenames,addresses,andtelephonenumbersofcoworkersateachjobtoincludeasreferences.3»Ifyouservedinthemilitary,yourdateofentry(month,day,andyear)andyourdateofdischarge(month,day,andyear).Allformerconvictions,includingtraffictickets.3Theaddressofeachresidenceyouhavelivedatsincegraduatingfromelementaryschool(aboutsixthgrade);themonthandyearyoumovedintoeachresidence,andthemonthandyearyouleft.3Thenames,addresses,andtelephonenumbersoffivepersonalreferences,otherthanfamilymembers.3Anitemizedlistofyourdebts,includingthenamesandaddressesofbanksorplacesthathavegivenyouloans,theamountyouoweoneachloan,yourmonthlypayment,anyoverduepayments,andthenatureofthedebt,suchasamortgageornewcarloan.Somepoliceofficerjobapplicationsrequireyoutosubmitcopiesofthefollowingdocumentsalongwiththeapplication:3Birthcertificate9Validdriver'slicense3Certifiedcopyofyourdrivingrecord¥SocialSecuritycard3HighschooldiplomaorGEDcertificate¥Collegetranscripts10PART1TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficer\gal1StudyX
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 24 preview image9SelectiveServiceregistrationform3FormDD214,CertificateofReleaseorDischargefromActiveDuty,foreachtermofserviceifyouservedintheU.S.ArmedForces3Marriagelicense,divorcedecree,and/orlegalseparationpapersIfyou'reamaleapplicantbornafterJanuary1,1960,youmustshowproofofyourregistrationwiththeSelectiveService(SSSForm3A).Ifyoudon’thavethisdocument,youcangetacopybycallingtheSelectiveServiceat(847)688-6888ortoll-freeat(888)655-1825,orgotowww.sss.TIPgovformoreinformation.UnderstandingwhatwillgetyoudisqualifiedNoteveryonemayparticipateinthepoliceofficerscreeningprocess.Ifyou'vedonesomethinginyourpastthatpreventsyoufromobtainingapermittocarryaconcealedfirearm,you'llbeknockedoutofthecompetitiontowinajobasapoliceofficer.Youmaybedisqualifiedfrombecomingapoliceofficerifyou9Areafugitivefromjustice3Havebeenadmittedtoamentalhealthfacility3Havebeenconvictedofafelony3WeredishonorablydischargedfromtheArmedForces3EnteredtheUnitedStatesillegally3Arecurrentlyonparoleorprobation3Havebeenconvictedofacrimeinvolvingdomesticviolenceorstalking3Arecurrentlysubjecttoarestrainingorderorprotectionfromabuseorder3Haveanaddictiontodrugsoralcohol3HavebeenjudiciallydeclaredincompetentorinsaneBeawareofwhatinformationandphotographsappearonyoursocialmediaaccounts.Inappro-priatecommentsandphotoscangetyoudisqualified.Even“liking”aninappropriatewebsitemaybegroundsfordisqualification.WARNINGActingprofessionallySupposethatyouobtainaNoticeofExamination(NOE)thatsaysyouneedtodropoffacompletedapplicationatthepolicedepartmenttheweekbeforethewrittentest.You'reinthemidstofpaintingyourapartmentthatweekbutstopbythepolicedepartmenttohandinyourapplication.Yourclothesaren’tcleanandthey’resplatteredwithpaint.You'reperspiringandnoticethatalineofcandidatesiswaitingtohandinapplications.Youseeanoldhighschoolfriendaheadofyouinline.“Hey,Joe!”youshout,slapthemanontheback,andshakehishand.Theofficerbehindthefrontdeskisonthephoneandmotionsforyoutokeepitdown.Areyoumakingagoodfirstimpression?Areyoubehavingprofessionally?No!Alwaysactprofessionally—whenyouhandinyourapplication,whenyoutakeyourwrittentest,andwhenyouarriveforanoralinterview.CHAPTER1SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWorkSy-—StudyX
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 25 preview image[orlT71[pvquTT|rc——re——5EmploymentRecords:SocialSecurityNumberAPPLICATIONFOREMPLOYMENTToyeAEELICATIONFOREMELOTMENTINSTRUCTIONS:TYPEORPRINT.SGNININK.EACHREQUESTFORrrrAPONTEKEQUILESASEPARATESLICATIONrrrrr]Beforecompletingthsapplication,readthepositionannouncementtobesureyouIEE1ElmaquoteorikpoToescompeheAPPR[[1fully.Readandsignaffirmation.9.UnitedStatesMilitaryService:NoUYesBranchofService:OMISSIONSMAYRESULTINREJECTIONOFAPPLICATIONDateofEntry:DateofDischarge:ToVeroDFearAPPLICATIONFORAPPOINTMENTTOTHEPOSITIONOFTypeofDischarge.SerialNo.LNamewmblt10.Haveyoueverpreviouslyappliedforanypositioninthe[city]PoliceTarFtdieDepartmentoranyotherLawEnforcementAgencyorCorrectionalInstitution?Phonenumber(includingareacode):ONoOYesWhatAgency?When?Whatothernameshaveyoubeenknownby.WhatPosition?11.Listalconvictionsincludetrafficarrests)Femaleapplicantsmustfurnishmaidenname:2.AddressSeeronSate2pCode_12.Haveyoueverbeenadefendantinanycourtaction?NoYesHowlonghaveyoulivedincity”Describe.Howlonghaveyoulivedin[state].JE—————resenta13.Areyounoworhaveyoueverbeenamemberofanyorganization,corporation,3DateofBirthi_______Presentagecompany,partnership,association,trust,foundation,fund,club,society,committee,politicalparty,oranygroupofpersons,whetherornot4AreyouacitizenoftheUnitedtates?Incorporated,whichchgagesinofadvocates,abet,advisesorteaches,or.ifollowsapurposewhichistoengageinoradvocate,abet,assistinthe5.ProofofCitizenshipattachedONoClYes(CopyofBtCotta)overthrow,destructionoralterationoftheConstitutionalformofgovernmentof.}theUnitedStatesoroftheStateofXX,orofanypoliticalsubdivisionofeitherof6.0youpossessavalidOperator'sLicense?NoQesthem,byrevolution,force,violenceortherunlawfulmeans?SeTamer7.EducationQNoOYesDescribeEE—_—Tig14.1herebyaffirmthattherearenointentionalmisrepresentationsorfalsiicationsEAintheforegoingstatementsandanswerstoquestions.|amawarethatshouldinvestigationdiscloseanysuchmisrepresentationsorfalsifications,myEEapplicationshalberejectedor,ifalreadyemployed,myemploymentmaybeBusinessSchoolTopantsSgratrsDareTSSECTIONCONTINUEDONATTACHEDPAGESCVESGNTHISSECTIONCONTINUEDONATTACHEDPAGESIVESONOFIGURE1-2:Asampleapplicationforapoliceofficerjob.12PART1TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficer|vv~StudyXY
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 26 preview imageEMPLOYMENTHISTORYSTARTINGWITHTHEDATEYOULEFTHIGHSCHOOL,ACCURATELYACCOUNTFORALLPERIODSOFEMPLOYMENTANDUNEMPLOYMENTINDATEORDER,INCLUDINGYOURPRESENTEMPLOYER.INCLUDEALLSEASONAL,TEMPORARY,ORPART-TIMEJOBSYOUHAVEHELDWHILEFURLOUGHEDORLAID-OFFFROMYOURPERMANENTJOB.ANSWERALLQUESTIONS.PLEASEPRINTORTYPEHaveyoueverappliedfororcollectedunemploymentcompensation?YesONoHaveyoueverappliedfororcollectedworkman'scompensation?OYesONoHaveyoueverfiledforbankruptcy?OYesONoSocialSecurityNumber:EMPLOYER:PHONE:ADDRESS:cry:STATE:zp.EMPLOYEDFROM:To:SALARY:REASONFORLEAVING:POSITION:DUTIES:CO-WORKER:PHONE:ADDRESS:ary:STATE:ZIP:CO-WORKER:PHONE:ADDRESS:-—FIGURE1-3:Ty:STATE:zp.YoumayseeseveralEmploymentSIGNATURE:DATE:HistoryboxeslikethisonePGEOFattachedtoapoliceofficerjobapplication.Theemploymentoutlookforpoliceofficersisgood—andit'sexpectedtogetbetter.TheU.S.BureauofLaborStatisticsestimatesthatby2030,thenumberoflawenforcementjobswillincreaseby7percent.Whytheincrease?Thepopulationisgrowing,andolderemployeesareexpectedtoretire.Localpolicedepartmentswilllikelydothemosthiring,particularlythoseinurbanareaswithhighcrimerates.Candidateswhoarebilingual,havemilitarytraining,orhavecollegedegreeshavethebestchanceoflandingajobasalocalcop.Jobsinstateandfederallawenforcementwillbehardertofind.Butcandidateswhoarebilingual,havemilitaryexperience,orholdcollegedegreeshavethebestshotatthesejobsaswell.Thosewithinvestiga-tiveexperiencealsohavealeguponthecompetition.CHAPTER1SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWork[iil]YvV=StudyXY
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 27 preview imageTakingtheWrittenTestAfteryoufindaNoticeofExamination(NOE)andcompleteajobapplication,youneedtoregisterforthewrittentest.Inmoststates,youhavetosignupforthewrittentestonline.Thenyou’llreceiveemailsaboutupcomingteststhatyoucantake.Easypeasy.Butthenyouhavetotakeandpassthistest.Wereyouagoodtest-takerinschool?Don’tpanicifyouwerent.Mostofthewrit-tentestspoliceofficersmusttakearefairlybasic.Youcaneasilypassthemwithsomepracticeandpreparation.NotallpolicedepartmentsintheUnitedStatesgivethesamewrittentest.SomegiveatestcalledtheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST).EachstatehasaPoliceOfficerStandardsandTrainingCommissionthatdecidesexactlywhatwillbeonitsversionofthePOST;checkyourstate’swebsitetodetermineitsexactrequirements.Otherstatesgiveacivilservicetest,suchastheNewYorkCity(NYC)PoliceOfficer’sEntranceExam,whichissimilartothePOST.Weaddressbothofthesetestsinthisbookastypicalexamples.Beforeyoutakeawrittenpoliceofficertest,findoutasmuchasyoucanaboutthetestbycontact-ingthepolicedepartmentandvisitingitswebsite.Manypolicedepartmentsofferstudyguidesthatyoucandownloadfromtheirwebsite.Butifyoucan’tfindwhatyou’relookingfor,don’tbeTPafraidtoaskquestions.Afewdepartmentsalsorequirecandidatestopassavideo-basedexamination.Duringthistest,youwatchvideosofscenariosinsteadofreadingaboutthemandthenanswermultiple-choicequestionsaboutthesceneyou'vejustwitnessed.It’simportanttonotethatthisisacommonrememser sense/goodjudgmenttest.Youdonotneedlawenforcementexperiencetoanswerthequestions.Youcan’tstudyorprepareforthistest.Ifyourstateordepartmentincludesavideo-basedtest,it'llbementionedonitswebsite,sobesuretocheckinadvance.Somepolicedepartmentsinterviewcandidatesabouttwotothreeweeksaftertheypassthewrit-tenexam.Thisisaninitialinterview.Don’tconfuseitwiththeoralboardinterview,whichismuchlonger.NationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST)TheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest,betterknownasthePOST,hasfoursections,andeachsectionistimed.ThefirstthreesectionsareMathematics,ReadingComprehension,andGrammar.Thesesectionshavebothmultiple-choiceandtrue-or-falsequestions.Mostmultiple-choicequestionshavefiveansweroptions—A,B,C,D,andE.Youfillintheovalthatcorrespondstotheanswerchoicethatyoubelieveiscorrect.ThefourthsectioniscalledIncidentReportWriting.Youhavetowriteoutyouranswerstothequestionsinthissection.YoushouldattempttoanswereveryquestiononthePOSTbecausethere’snopenaltyforguess-ing.Yourscoreisbasedonlyonthenumberofquestionsyouanswercorrectly.Whenyoudon’tknowtheanswertoaquestion,eliminateansweroptionsthatyouknowareincorrectandmakeTPagoodguess.ThefollowingisabriefrundownofwhattoexpectineachsectionofthePOST.TofindoutmoreaboutthePOST,turntoChapter2.3Section1:Mathematics:ThequestionsinthemathematicssectionofthePOSTrequireyoutousebasicarithmetic—addition,subtraction,multiplication,anddivision.Youalsohavetodetermineaveragesonthistest.Youcan'tuseacalculatoronthePOST,butthetestbooklethasscratchpaperyoucanusetofigureoutyouranswers.FormoreinformationaboutthekindofmathematicsquestionsthatareonthePOST,turntoChapter3.14PART1TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficerSy
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 28 preview image3Section2:ReadingComprehension:OnthissectionofthePOST,youreadpassagesorseveralparagraphsaboutasubjectandanswerquestionsabouttheinformationinthepassage.Passagesareaboutpoliceduty,butyoudon'tneedanyknowledgeofpolicedutytoanswerthequestions.Everythingyouneedtoknowtoanswerthequestionsisinthepassage.Bothmultiple-choiceandtrue-or-falsequestionsareinthereadingcomprehensionsectionofthePOST.Tofindoutmoreaboutansweringreadingcomprehensionquestions,seeChapter4.3Section3:Grammar:ThegrammarsectionofthePOSTtestsyourknowledgeofgrammar,punctuation,andspelling.Thissectionhastwotypesofquestions.Toanswerthefirsttypeofquestion,youchoosethewordthatbestfitsinablankinasentence.Toanswerthesecondtypeofquestion,youchoosethewordinasentencethat'smisspelled.Wetellyoumoreaboutgrammar,punctuation,andspellinginChapter5.3Section4:IncidentReportWriting:Incidentreportwritingtestsyourwritingskills.InthissectionofthePOST,you'regivenacompleted(filled-out)incidentreportandaskedquestionsaboutit.Thoughtheinformationyouneedtoanswerthequestionsisrightintheincidentreport,you'rejudgedonhowyouwriteoutyouranswer.Youranswersshouldbecompletesentencesthataregrammaticallycorrect.Toreadmoreaboutincidentreports,turntoChapter7.NewYorkCityPoliceOfficer'sEntranceExamThoughmanypolicedepartmentsgivetheNationalPoliceOfficerSelectionTest(POST),othersgiveacivilservicetest,suchastheNewYorkCity(NYC)PoliceOfficer’sEntranceExam.Thisexamcontainsabout85questionstestingyourabilityintheseareas:3Inductiveanddeductivereasoning:Inductivereasoningquestionsgiveyouasetofdetailsandaskyoutodrawaconclusionbasedonthesedetails.Deductivereasoningquestionsdojusttheopposite—theygiveyouaconclusionandaskyoutochoosedetailssupportingtheconclusion.YoucanfindoutmoreaboutinductiveanddeductivereasoningquestionsinChapter4.3Informationordering:Thesequestionstestyourabilitytofollowdirections.You'regivenaseriesofstepsthatyoumustfollowtocorrectlyanswerthequestions.Thequestionsexplainthatanofficerhascompletedsomestepsandaskyouwhattheofficershoulddonext.Chapter6tellsyoumoreaboutinformation-orderingquestions.3Memorization:MemorizationquestionsontheNYCtestassessyourabilitytorememberdetailsaboutwhatyou'veseen.You'regiventenminutestostudyaphotographoranillustra-tion.Then,whenapageisturnedandyoucannolongerseethepicture,youmustanswerquestionsaboutdetailswithinit.3Problemsensitivity:Toanswerthesequestions,youhavetopredictwhethersomethingislikelytogowronginagivensituation.Forexample,youmaybegivenaguidelineastowhenpoliceofficersshouldevacuatepersonsinabuilding,andthenyoumaybeaskedquestionsaboutinformationinthisguideline.Formoreaboutproblem-sensitivityquestions,turntoChapter6.3Spatialorientation:ToanswerspatialorientationquestionsontheNYCtest,youreadadescriptionanddeterminewhereyouareintermsofdirection(north,south,east,orwest).Somespatialorientationquestionsincludeamapindicatingone-waystreetsandroadwayobstructions.Toanswerthesequestions,youhavetochoosethemostefficientroutetogetfromoneplacetoanotherwhileobeyingalltrafficregulations.Formoreaboutmemorizationandspatialorientationquestions,turntoChapter6.CHAPTER1SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWork
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 29 preview image3%Visualization:Imaginethestreetonwhichyoulive.Nowimaginewhatthisstreetlookslikeifyouwerestandingbehindthehousesorbuildings.VisualizationquestionsontheNYCtestaskyoutoenvisionwhatsomethinglookslikefromadifferentangleorperspective.WediscussvisualizationquestionsindetailinChapter6.3Writtencomprehension:WrittencomprehensionquestionsontheNYCtestaresimilartoreadingcomprehensionquestionsonthePOST.Youreadapassagecontaininginformationaboutpolicedutyandanswerquestionsabouttheinformationinthepassage.Toreadmoreaboutthesetypesofquestions,reviewChapter4.3Writtenexpression:Thesequestionsassessyourknowledgeofgrammar.Youchoosethesentencethatpresentsinformationclearly,accurately,andcompletely.Formoreaboutgrammarquestions,seeChapter5.ORGANIZATIONOFMUNICIPAL,COUNTY,ANDSTATEDEPARTMENTSWhenyoudecidetobecomeacop,youprobablypictureyourselfworkingforamunicipal,orcity,policedepartment.Thisiscertainlyagoodoption,butlawenforcementagenciesrangefromsmall,countrypolicedepartmentstolargefederalagencies.Notethatsomeoftheselawenforcementagencieshavedifferenthiringrequirementsthanmunicipalpolicedepartments.*®Municipalpoliceofficers:Municipal,orlocal,policedepartmentsaregenerallydividedgeographically,witheachdepartmentprovidingbasiclawenforcementforacity,town,orothermunicipality.Insomecases,onelocalpoliceforcemayserveseveralsmallcommunities.Thesedepartmentsarestaffedbyuniformedpoliceofficerswhopatroltheareaandrespondtocalls.Theseofficersperformbasicpoliceduties,suchasarrestingcriminalsuspects,directingtraffic,inves-tigatingcrimes,andmore.Officersinlargerpolicedepartmentsareoftenassignedtocarryoutaspe-cificduty.Localpoliceagenciestypicallyorganizetheirserviceareasintogeographicdistricts.Officersareassignedtospecificdistrictsandareexpectedtofamiliarizethemselveswiththeirpatrolareaandbewatchfulforanythingoutoftheordinary.Somelocalpoliceagenciesserveuniquejurisdictionsthatentailspecialenforcementresponsibilities.Thesespecialpoliceforcesincludecollegecampuspolice,publicschooldistrictpolice,andtransportationsystemsecurity.Localpoliceofficersmayserveinspecializedfields,suchasfingerprintidentification,chemicalanalysis,orpolicetraining.Othersmayalsoservewithspecialpoliceunits,suchascanineunits,motorcycleunits,harborpatrol,orspecialweaponsandtactics(SWAT).®Countysheriffsanddeputysheriffs:Policedepartmentsatthecountylevelconsistofsheriffsanddeputysheriffs.Mostsheriffsareelectedofficialswithjobrequirementscomparabletothoseofalocalpolicechief.Sheriffsdepartmentsaregenerallysmall,employingfewerthan50officers.Deputysheriffssharemanyofthesamelawenforcementresponsibilitiesofofficersinurbanpolicedepart-ments.Some911call-responsecentersarestaffedbycountypolicedepartments.®Statepoliceofficers:Officersofstatepoliceagencies,oftenknownasstatetroopersorhighwaypatrolofficers,havestatewidejurisdictionforarrestingcriminalsandenforcingtrafficlawsonstatehighways.Theseofficersalsohavespecialfunctionsatthesceneoftrafficaccidents.Inthesesitua-tions,statepoliceofficersmaydirecttraffic,providefirstaid,summonadditionalemergencysupport,andwriteaccidentreports.Statepoliceagenciesmayalsoprovideassistanceforlocalpoliceforces,particularlyinruralareasandsmalltowns,andprovideexecutiveprotectionforthegovernorandotherdignitaries.16PART1TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficer
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 30 preview imageAddingtheLawEnforcementEssayExamBecausepoliceofficerscompletesomanywrittenreports—theymustwriteanincidentreporteachtimetheyrespondtoascene—policedepartmentsconsidergoodwritingskillsessentialtogoodjobperformance.Andmanyofthedocumentspoliceofficerswritewindupincourtasevi-dence,sogoodwritingskillsareamust.SomepolicedepartmentsrequirecandidatestotaketheLawEnforcementEssayExaminadditiontothewrittenpoliceofficertest.Thisexammeasuresyourabilitytowriteclearlyandcorrectly.TheLawEnforcementEssayExamisn’tlong.Yourespondtoasinglewritingpromptthatisn’taboutpolicework—it’spersonal.Apromptmayaskyoutorecallaspecificexperienceinyourlifeandthenreflectuponwhatyoulearnedfromthatexperience.Youhave30to45minutestowriteyourresponsetotheprompt.YoucanreadsomesamplepromptsandasampleessayinChapter8.MostpolicedepartmentsrequirecandidatestocompleteaPersonalHistoryStatement—alongdocumentinwhichyourespondtoquestionsaboutyourpastandyourcharacter.Althoughsomedepartmentsaskyoutocompletethisstatementafterthewrittentest,manyallowyoutocom-pleteitathomeandrequirethatyouhaveitnotarizedbyanotarypublicbeforeyouturnitin.HonestyistheonlypolicywhenrespondingtoquestionsonthePersonalHistoryStatement.Abackgroundinvestigatorchecksyourresponses,andifthispersondiscoversthatyouliedoromittedsomethingimportant,thepolicedepartmentwilldisqualifyyoufromthescreeningpro-rememseress.Laterinthescreeningprocess,you'llbeaskedtotakeapolygraphtest,calledaBOC.ThePersonalHistoryStatementmayserveasaroadmapforthequestionsaskedonthepolygraphtest.InsteadofaBOC,apolicedepartmentmayuseComputerVoiceStressAnalysis(CVSA).Thisislikeapolygraphtestexceptthatitisbasedonthetoneandstressofyourvoice.Therefore,it’sbettertotellthetruthandexplainthereasonsforyouractionsonyourstatement.YoucanviewasamplePersonalHistoryStatementinChapter9.APersonalHistoryStatementasksquestionssuchasthefollowing:3Haveyoueverbeenarrestedorconvictedofanoffense?Ifyouransweris“yes,”explaintheincidentinconcisedetailonaseparatesheetofpaper,givingthedatesandnatureoftheoffense,thenameandlocationofthecourt,andthedispositionofthecase.Aconvictionmaynotdisqualifyyoubutafalsestatementwill.3Haveyoueverbeenonprobationorparole?If“yes,”explainthedetailsonaseparatesheetofpaper.3Haveyoubeeninvolvedasapartyinalawsuit?If“yes,”explainthedetailsonaseparatesheetofpaper.3Haveyoueverdrivenamotorvehiclewithinthepastthreeyearswithouttheproperinsurance?3Haveyoueverhadyourdriver'slicenseplacedonprobationforreceivinganexcessivenumberoftrafficviolations?3Haveyoueverbeenplacedasanassignedriskforvehicleinsurance?3Haveyoufiledforbankruptcy?CHAPTER1SigningUp,GettingScreened,andOtherPrepWorkSy-—StudyXY
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Police Officer Exam For Dummies, 2nd Edition (2022) - Page 31 preview image3Areyouunderobligationtopaychildsupport?If“yes,”areyoucurrentwithpayments?3Describeinyourownwordsthefrequencyandextentofyouruseofalcoholicbeverages.YoualsohavetoprovidethefollowinginformationonaPersonalHistoryStatement:3Contactinformation(name,address,andtelephonenumbers)3»Driver'slicenseinformation(driver'slicensenumber,state,expirationdate,height,weight,eyecolor,haircolor,scars,tattoos,orotherdistinguishingmarks)¥Trafficrecord(listofalltrafficcitationsyou'vereceived,exceptforparkingtickets;listofallaccidentsyou'vebeeninvolvedinasadriver;andlistofallmotorvehiclesyouownoroperate)3Militaryservice(datesofservice,branchofservice,andtypeofdischarge)3Familymembers(names,addresses,andtelephonenumbersofimmediatefamilymembersandotherpersonslivinginyourhome)3Education(namesofschools/colleges,locations,datesattended,areasofstudy,andtypeofdegree)3References(names,addresses,telephonenumbers,yearsknown,andoccupationsoffourpersonswhoarenotrelatives)3Employmenthistory(listofallemployersbackto17yearsofage;abriefsummaryofyourdutiesineachposition)Residences(listofalladdresses,includingcity,state,andzipcode,whereyou'velivedduringthelasttenyears,beginningwithyourpresentaddress;listmustincludenamesoflandlordsandneighbors)3Financialobligations(listofname/locationofinstitutionsorbanks,typeofaccounts,andaveragebalance;listofcreditcardsandnamesofissuinginstitutions)Professional,fraternal,orcivicassociationmemberships(listoforganizations,periodoftimeyoubelonged,andtheofficeyouheld)Ifyoupassthewrittenpoliceofficertest,youthentakethePAT,thephysicalabilitytest.Policeworkisoftenphysicallydemanding.Atthepoliceacademy,recruitsaretrainedsothatthey’reingoodenoughconditiontochaseandcuffsuspects,quicklyclimbstairsandfences,scalewalls,anddefendthemselvesfromcriminalswhennecessary.Thephysicalfitnesstrainingattheacad-emyistough.ThePATassesseswhetheryou'reingoodenoughshapetoundergothistraining.IfyoufailthePAT,you'reeliminatedfromthescreeningprocess.TodiscoverhowtoprepareforthePAT,readChapter10.ThetypeofexercisesonthePATdependsonthepolicedepartment.However,manypolicedepart-mentstestcandidates’abilitytodothefollowinginagiventimeperiod:3440-yardmobility/agilityrun»1.5-milerun3Dummydrag9Fenceobstacles18PART1TheRoadtoLandingaJobasaPoliceOfficer\1StudyX
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