So that every applicant has the same opportunity, this tip sheet is provided for everyone. Use what you think will assist you in this process. Don't forget to use your life experiences in high school, college, any sports you participated in, any community involvement or any jobs you have had. Be able to talk about why you are pursuing a career with the Wichita Police Department.
The next step in the application process after passing the Physical Agility Testing will be the Oral Interview Board. This will be conducted at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center at 4310 E. 19th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67208. To maximize your performance in the interview we offer the following suggestions:
- The interview is structured, with very few follow-up questions so give thorough and complete answers. This interview is not intended to gauge your knowledge of law enforcement tactics or procedures.
- There are many resources available to improve your performance during an interview, such as:
- The Internet
- Do your research
- There are also several good generic interviewing publications such as "Knock em Dead" and "How to Interview and get a Job".
- Another resource is Police Department members. You can schedule a ride-a-long at any of the Department's sub-stations. You will need to sign a waiver of liability, and a local background check will be completed. We strongly encourage you to do this so you can see firsthand what officers do on a day-to-day basis. Real police work is definitely not what you see on television and in the movies - don't let reality be a surprise to you.
- Ask friends or relatives who have been through a formal interview board process for advice and have them pose hypothetical questions to you, based on their experience. Ask them to critique your responses.
- Practice listening to questions with multiple parts, taking a few notes about the questions being asked and then answering all parts of the questions.
- Make an audio and/or video tape of your practice session or watch yourself practice in a mirror. Identify any distracting mannerisms that you may have and try to correct them.
- It is natural to be nervous. Be sure to keep a positive attitude and an open mind as you participate in the interview so that the assessors can see you perform to the best of your ability.
- The Wichita Police Department is a proud organization with a rich history, and physical appearance and grooming are important. If you want to perform well during the Oral Board process you should dress appropriately and look sharp.
You are competing with a large number of candidates for a job as an entry-level police officer. Any information you divulge about the structure of the oral interview, specific questions, etc., may provide another candidate with an unfair advantage. By participating in this process, you agree not to divulge information about the nature of the questions or the manner in which they are administered.