State Police Oral Interview

[KMS]

Anyone have any advice for a leo hopeful that is getting ready for his oral interview with the PA State Police? Just looking for a general idea of what to expect and if it is similar to municiple oral interviews. I want to make sure I make the best impression I can.

Thanks!

[paul]

KMS, I want to start by telling you that I am far from experienced on this topic. I just took my test to be a LEO in Ohio, so I haven't even had my oral interview yet.
The officers that I have talked to here told me that it is very nerve-racking. The interviewers try to bring out any character flaw that you may have. (they use the info. dug up by the background investigation, anything that you have written or said through the entire process,etc.) They basically try to break you, to see how you handle the stress. Like I said, this is just what I've been told. Keep your "spine" and stand tall. They want someone confident, but not cocky.
I did buy a video called BECOMING A COP, by officer Jim Wagner. They go into pretty good detail on the whole process. A lot of what they cover is basic stuff, like looking good, keeping good eye contact (if you are thinking, don't look up or down; look at their chest or next to their head), make sure you secure your hands "somewhere" so your not fidgeting, etc.
When I get to that stage of the process, I'm sure I'll be very nervous. Just keep encouraging yourself. This is what you want to do with the rest of your life! You know you can do it, and you want this more than anything you have ever wanted. If that's how you feel, then tell them that! Honesty and sincerity can't be wrong. (that's my plan anyway...)
My definition of luck is: Where opportunity meets preparedness. So, I feel like we make our own luck. Just hope that your life experience has prepared you for this opportunity.
GOOD LUCK!
Paul

[KMS]

Thanks, Paul. It is nice to hear from others who feel the way I do about going into this field. I am passionate about it and can't imagine doing anything else for the rest of my career. I hope that things work out for you in OH.

[Jaime]

My husband had an oral interview with PA State Troopers and he said it wasnt what he expected. There were about 4 different officers, at his appt there was 3 males, one female and they take you seperately in a room ask you about 6-7 what would you do questions, and then thats it!!! My husband has been hired numerous places here in MD and we are both MP's getting out at the end of the year, hopefully...with all this stuff going on. He only scored a 70 which brought him way down on the list and he was not happy. He didnt think that the procedure was too spread out equally as you didnt get to sit in front of a panel of the same 4-5 people like most places, just seemed like it all depended on who was your grader, you see what I mean? I hope this answers your questions on what to expect and please post after you went and let us know how you did.

[PATrooper4347]

KMS, Here is some inside info I obtained about PSP interviews, You will deal with alot of the standard stuff, such as why do you want to be a Trooper, why would you make a good Trooper etc. They will also ask you questions dealing with scenerios, judgement - not necessarily "if your a cop" scenearios either. They will ask you a basic situation that you have possibly have faced and see how you did or would handle it. The best you can do is be honest, I know of instances where people have tried to tell what they think the board would like to hear over what they would actually do, and often times they know your probably just blowing smoke up thier rear end. They are also going to play some mind games, to see how you react. They may seem like they are ignoring you, one of the board memeber might even get up and walk out, or completley turn thier back ion the middle of an answer. They want to see what you do in this situation. They are gonna start the mind games the second you walk into the building, so be ready for it. The Troopers recieving you will ask some "harmless" questions, but make sure your on top of your game. Thats about all I can say, good luck.