Joining the New Zealand Police is based upon several requirements, among them, age, physical criteria, qualifications and training. After achieving all these steps, one final stage is awaiting you: a job interview. Let’s take a look at the New Zealand police interview requirements and best ways to succeed at this stage.

Police Interview Questions: How to Prepare for them?

Planning to become a police officer? Have you checked the previous article posted in Fratres on Police Careers in New Zealand? If not, take a few minutes and visit the aforementioned link. Unlike what many people think, New Zealand police careers are very diverse, which will push you to consider Police interview scenario questions.

As an applicant you need to prepare for the various questions that can be related to:

Crimes: you need to have an analytical mind for crimes. Police officers are invited to preserve the crime site, gather evidence and arrest people involved with the crime. You should have an interest in forensic science, the ability to click photos of the crime scenes, and collect clues for inspectors.

-Inspection: as a police officer you are required to care for public safety. You are supposed to prepare interview questions related to inspection tours and techniques to implement the laws.

-Police search: in case of looking for lost or disappeared people, you need to prepare the answers related to search techniques like working with a team of officers, working with trained dogs. You should explain in your answer the way you can complete various missions to reach disappeared people or lost items.

-Office procedures: if you are working in police offices, you should prepare questions related to your administrative services such as responding to emergency phone calls in 111. There are also tasks related to drafting and document analysis.

Technical quizzes: in your upcoming interview questions,  you should expect questions related to technical equipment and tools such as security cams and many other alarm systems. Take a look at; Tips for Creating the Best NZ CV Style

-Driving and traffic codes: as a police applicant you will be asked about driving rules and what to do in case of seeing any vehicle breaking the traffic rules.

-Tests: as a police officer you are supposed to do drug and alcohol tests for suspected drivers. You should also expect interview questions related to drug testing and to spotting drivers under alcohol.

After taking into account the various themes of police interview questions, here is a section in which you can prepare interview questions with their sample answers. Remember that these answers are just a demonstration. You should structure your own answer following the examples below!

1.What is the police management structure in New zealand?

In accordance with the protocol related to New Zealand police careers and professional paths, police employment structure includes:

• Police teams and units
• Police districts
• Commissioner and executive.

2. What are the missions of New Zealand police officers?

This question targets the tasks that police officers are supposed to carry out. You can structure your answer explaining the administrative tasks, detention, search and investigation, testing, arresting criminals, answering queries and call for help. You can structure your answer this way;

The main missions of police officers are more particularly related to law enforcement, inspection, investigation, security, protection and implementing curfew rules.

3. How can we access the employment of police officers?

This question highlights testing your knowledge concerning the necessary requirements in terms of age, qualification and training. Your answer can be highlighting these three basic requirements adding the necessary tests and internship. Online Testing

4. Which conditions should be available for upcoming candidates?

This question sounds similar to the previous one. But, the answer is related to the conditions and not requirements. You can say that conditions of entry are having at least 18 years old; having New Zealand Citizenship, having a clean criminal record, having completed the necessary tests (psychometric test, sight test), meeting the eligibility criteria in terms of height and weight, one optional condition; having the driving license.

5. What does the organization offer for applicants selected in the police?

This question highlights your expectations from the position. you can structure an answer containing the rewards of the job such as, periodic medical check, free car gasoline, accommodation, police badge, gun, uniform, etc…

6. Don’t you see yourself too young for this job?

This provocative question can be expected. First, don't get defensive! You should rather sound diplomatic in listing the advantages of getting hired at a very young age. You should not reflect youth as a sign of lack of experience, knowledge, or responsibility. Your answer should revolve around young people's strengths such as: flexibility, adaptability, curiosity, etc…

7. How do you describe your colleagues:

 This question is to test your tendency to collaborate and cooperate with a team. Remember that a police officer’s job relies on teamwork. Make an answer that reflects your ability to share tasks with a team, organize your strategies, and alternate with them during night time checking tours. You can describe your colleagues as cooperative, comprehensive, down to earth and very serious cops.

8. How would you manage dangerous situations?

There is no doubt that one of the police officers duties is to face danger like armed criminals, people trapped in a dangerous place, dealing with threats, offences and rebellion attacks. As an applicant you need to structure an answer that shows stress-management, temper-control and ability to manage dangerous situations through negotiation. Do not say that you will directly use power and exchange violence with them. Just inform interviewers that you will use self-defensive techniques, when things get tough.

These were the top 8 expected interview questions for police officers applicants in New Zealand. Remember that some questions might be situational, behavioral and others related to the employment structure in the security sector. Prepare with care and answer with confidence.