Practice 40 Correctional Officer interview questions covering security protocols, conflict de-escalation, and ethical judgment.
Question 39 of 40
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
If you are serious about being offered the position, it is best not to have an issue with drug testing. The interviewer is transparent with their job requirements for drug testing and wants to ensure you understand this is a requirement. The interviewer would rather find out now if you have an issue with random drug testing before moving forward in the hiring process. For obvious reasons, the interviewer does not want to hire a correction officer who might have a drug test come back positive.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
It is best to focus on why you do not have an issue with random drug testing. Assure the interviewer that you do not use drugs, so you do not have a problem proving that through a drug test.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
If you want to be considered for the position, avoid saying you have a problem with random drug testing. Some correction officers do not like random testing. It is not because their test will turn up positive; instead, they feel their privacy is being violated or they are being singled out. If you think that way, research the organization's employment drug policy before your interview to see how they provide testing. Many organizations keep the testing private, so other employees do not know who is being tested and when.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"No, I do not have an issue with random drug testing. I have never used drugs, and there is no reason I will not pass every drug test given."

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"Since I do not use drugs or take prescription medicine, I do not have an issue with random drug testing. I encourage it to keep our officers and inmates safe."

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I do not have a problem with random drug testing since I do not use drugs. The only issue I have is when an organization blatantly pulls officers in to perform the testing, making other officers think they did something wrong. I think random drug testing is needed in the prison system, but only when done discreetly to protect the officer's privacy."

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Written by Krista Wenz
40 Questions & Answers • Correctional Officer

By Krista

By Krista