A police supervisor coordinates the effective handling of different cases. Certain areas are always accessed in a police supervisor interview. These 20 questions should be a good starting point.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
By now, you should know that this question is asked in ninety percent of interviews. The employer wants to know if your motive is in line with the job opening. Therefore, answer this question wisely.
Tip #1: Your reason should not be all about you.
Tip 32: Tell the interviewer that you can be of help to the department.
Sample Answer
For the last twenty years in the police force, I have worked to better several communities. I believe in giving back to the community through my work at the force. This role will help me improve on what I have been doing for the last two decades. Also, I am passionate about my work, and the job requirements described me fully.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Police Supervisor?
The interviewer wants to know if you understand the job description or know what is expected from you.
Tip #1: Clearly outline the roles of a police supervisor.
Tip #2: Go straight and to the point.
Sample Answer
A police supervisor coordinates handling cases and investigations and oversees the cases to ensure that they are done according to the law. He/ she defines the success of the force and evaluates any problem that may come up in investigating a case.
3. What Are The Qualities That A Police Supervisor Should Have To Be Effective?
What makes a good police supervisor?
Tip #1: Provide the qualities that are required for this role.
Tip #2: Make sure that you do not miss the core qualities.
Sample Answer
A police supervisor should be a good communicator and possess excellent leadership skills. He/she should be a person of integrity and a team worker.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? Did You Handle It?
This is perhaps one of the commonest questions in interviews. It is asked by interviewers to test your problem-solving abilities.
Tip #1: The challenge should not be a result of your negligence.
Tip #2: the grading is on solving it.
Sample Answer
I had a team member who was always behind time. I could not replace or send her to a different department because she was the most skilled in the area that we were tackling. I decided to have a sit down with her and listened to her side. In one week, I had helped her solve what she was undergoing, and no problem ever came up.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Police Supervisor
Do you have a rough idea of how your day will look like once you get the job? You should have done your research before coming for the interview.
Tip #1: Talk about some of the things a police supervisor attend to daily.
Tip #2: the routine should be relevant to the job
Sample Answer
My day begins early. Upon getting to work, I review the cases brought and give the officers cases to work on. I then ensure that the cases have been handled effectively and legally. I also attend meetings with my superiors and evaluate any problems that may arise as cases are handled.
6. Briefly Describe Your Experience.
The interviewer wants to know some of the things that have built your career. You can talk about some of the places that you have worked in and the roles you had.
Tip #1: Mention experiences that have built your career.
Tip #2: Only talk about the relevant ones.
Sample Answer
Upon finishing my training, I was posted in (provide the name of the police station or post). I was charged with (outline the roles). After two years, I was promoted to (provide the role), where I was responsible for (mention your work). I then left the service to focus on personal investments, a period where I learned a lot about management.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required For This Role?
The interviewee wants to find out if you have a working strategy to help you in the given job. Strategy and mindset go side by side.
Tip #1: Outline a strategy that you have seen its fruits.
Tip #2: Make sure that the mindset is job-specific.
Sample Answer
A police supervisor needs a positive mindset. He/ she should inspire hope to the community who will be expecting service delivery. He/ she should have a no-exit strategy since good policing involves making tough decisions and working round the clock.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Job?
It would be best if you always thought beyond the interview. The interviewer wants to know if you have done proper research on the job at hand.
Tip #1: Be honest. However, do not come off as incompetent.
Tip #2: provide a viable solution, if any.
Sample answer
I have never worked in this area, and therefore, I am not quite known in the community. Clicking with the surrounding community may take longer. However, this should not be a big concern since it will cease to be an issue with time.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
This is a simple question that seeks to deduce some of the positive things about you that keep you going.
Tip #1: Do not give a vague response
Tip #2: Answer using some of your characters and use examples, if any.
Sample Answer
I love challenges. I always feel the urge to exceed my expectations. Meeting new challenges every day gives me the thrill that I need. Also, I love helping people. Coming to work gives me a chance to help more people, which keeps me going.
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10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned
We have all failed once or twice in our areas of expertise. Therefore, this is not a trap. The interviewer wants to know some of the lessons that you have picked along the way.
Tip #1: Do not highlight a major regret
Tip #2: Focus on a smaller incident that has improved your profession
Sample Answer
While I was still new to the police force, I once forgot to salute my boss, which got me reprimanded. I learnt to always be alert and responsive.
11. Why Is There A Gap In Your Resume?
Employers would always want to know why you were not employed during a given period in your CV. Were you in jail or rehab? All these are important details.
Tip #1: Do not portray yourself as lazy or unemployable
Tip #2: Make it look like it was your idea.
Sample Answer
I wanted to try a different thing in life, and therefore, decided to temporarily halt my career and invest my time in certain projects.
12. Have You Ever Disagreed With Your Fellow Worker? How Did You Solve It?
The interview is testing your team working skills. Keep n mind that you will still need to work with others, even as a police supervisor.
Tip #1: This is not a trap. Do not try too hard to look good in the eyes of the interviewer.
Tip #2: Think of a significant instance
Sample Answer
I used to have problems with a fellow police officer. I was opposed to some of his methods when handling civilians. After a month of ever arguing, I approached him during lunchtime, and we ironed out our issues and discovered that the problem lay in communication.
13. How Would Those Around You Describe You?
This question wants to draw out some of your personalities through how other people may think of you.
Tip #1: This is a chance to tell the interviewer about yourself from the eye of another person.
Tip #2: Keep your answer relevant to the job.
Sample Answer
Those who have been around me for quite some time would say that I do not give up easily. When I began my career, I would keep asking many questions until my boss started to get irritated. I would also try different ways and avenues until I cracked a case,
14. What Did Not Impress You In Your Former Role?
The employer will know what type of employee you are from how you speak of your former workplace.
Tip #1: Do not talk ill of your former workplace; however bad it was.
Tip #2: Think of something you disliked in your former role
Sample Answer
My last job had lots of great things. However, I still believe that there should have been a direct channel for communicating with superiors for urgent cases.
15. What Has Been Your Biggest Achievement In The Force?
The employer is simply assessing how you gauge achievements. Therefore, think through this question.
Tip #1: Try not to be self-centred in your answer
Tip #2: You can talk of an experience.
Sample Answer
I joined the force to fight gangs that I saw terrorizing people in the place I grew up. Five years into my career, I was posted in my hometown and charged with investigating gang activities in the area. After conclusive investigations, we managed to take down some of the most vicious gangs in our region. This, to date, has been one of my greatest achievements since I got to give back to my community.
16. Why Do You Think You Are The Best Candidate For This Role?
The employer wants to know what makes you unique and convinces you that you are the most qualified candidate.
Tip #1: You need to highlight some of your qualities.
Tip #2: Talk bout some of the things that you believe make you unique
Sample Answer
I have been in the police force for the past two decades. I have seen and led some of the biggest criminal takedowns in my area of operations. I have also taken the time and educated myself on matters touching on police work. I have also been in several leadership roles and boards.
17. What Are Some Of Your Weaknesses?
This question allows you to put a positive spin on something negative. From your answer, the interviewer will know some of your shortcomings.
Tip #1: Do not give a common answer or try to look good
Tip #2: Talk of a weakness that you have recovered
Sample Answer
I have always had temper issues. However, I have had several appointments with professionals who have helped me work on it. I am glad that it has never affected my work.
18. How Would You Deal With Pressure From Those In Power?
It is pretty evident that police officers play an important role in society, and certain factions may attempt to control them. Here, the interviewer is assessing your integrity.
Tip #1: Your answer should be in accordance with the law.
Tip #2: Make sure that you are firm.
Sample Answer
As a great believer in justice and the law, I cannot allow any external power to influence my work. Therefore, I will decline and report the matter or pursue a legal course.
19. What Are Some Of The Factors That Allow A Police Officer To Enjoy Discretion?
The interviewer is assessing whether you fully understand how the service works.
Tip #1: Show that you are knowledgeable about the subject matter.
Tip #2: Give sufficient explanation. Do not explain a lot.
Sample Answer
A police officer is allowed to use discretion for petty offenses such as public urination. This discretion is influenced by the suspect’s behaviour, complaints, suspect’s record, the guardians’ attitude, and systems variables.
20. How Would You Describe Your Management Style?
As a supervisor, one of your roles will be management. Therefore, the interviewer has to ascertain your management skills.
Tip #1: Nobody wants to hire a bully, so think through your answer
Tip #2: Your management style should be geared towards results.
Sample Answer
I am a manager who believes in results. However, that does not mean that I am always serious and unapproachable. My management style dictates, bringing everybody on board and appreciating their efforts while still being hard on results.
Conclusion
Police supervisor is a big post that requires high levels of preparations if you have an interview scheduled. I hope that these questions will help you ace your police supervisor interview.
