Ok, I mentioned a few things to look at for interview and about assessment centre preperation.
The tests at assessment centre are simple maths and speed/distance/time stuff. Theres a trick to this, because it's very tight on time. The questions start very simple and get to the point where you need to do a bit of working. Bin that question, move on. You still only get one mark, go onto the next question that is quick to answer. If you have time go back, but there are more than enough quick questions to get you through.
The english excercise is about dealing with a problem where you write to a complainant. Usually along the lines of you being a store manager. Again this can be tight on time. The problem will be simple to deal with. Come up with a solution and put it onto paper. If I remember there are two of these to do. They are looking at your English skills, punctuation etc.
The verbal logical reasoning is where you can really score highly. You will have a number of questions all with a paragraph of text depicting a scenario. there will then be a number of statements and the answer will be yes, no, unable to say.
DO NOT RUSH ! There is stacks of time on this one, use all of it. I had time to go through it three times, and I found a few silly mistakes each time. The way I found that worked for me was to read the text, read the questions, read the text again, answer the questions.
If you do the Potential Police Officers course, you will do loads of these questions. I may have a few examples somewhere still, I'll post them if I can find them.
Interview List of things to study
Ministerial priorities
Local force priorities
High profile operations, both local and national ie operation ore
Local issues impacting you force area
National Intelligence model
Intelligence led policing
Know the geography of your force are, divisions, sectors, HQ's
Know the structure of those divisions.
Know about SOCAP powers
Know about the serious organised crime agency.
How many of you know what a shift constable does day to day.... ?
For me it can be anything from sudden deaths to missing kids, RTC's to violent domestics. I can go days without using the lights and sirens or it can be non stop 'A' grade calls.
Have a think about what effect the job will have on the family, you may be asked.
You may be asked about how you plan to deal with the crap initial wages....I was.
Do you know what support networks are available to officers i.e councilling.
be in no doubt you will see some f***ing horrible things. You will find things that get to you. For me its kids being treated badly.
Know a bit about the police authority and their relationship with the force.
What is the IPPCC and the HMIC ?
Know what form you're training will take. Theres about to be a big shake up.
If you guys want I can put together a shift diary, so you can see whats involved day to day. ? let me know yes or no.
