What would you do if an officer next to you was engaged in a physical fight with an inmate?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example
Community Answers

The interviewer would like to know that you understand what to do when you see an officer engaged in a physical altercation. Refer to your training manual and corporate policies, and recite those if possible. If you have experienced this situation as a correction officer, describe what you did and the outcome.

If you know the correctional facility's policy regarding physical altercations with inmates, focus your answer on following their policy. If you respond in a manner that aligns with the correctional facility, it will make you stand out more favorably as a candidate.

Avoid saying that you would ignore the situation and walk away or use excessive force on the inmate. If you ignore the problem, it shows the interviewer that you are unreliable and not a team player. If you use excessive force on the inmate, the interviewer will determine that you might have a temper and could be a liability if hired.

"I have never been in a situation like this; however, I feel that the best thing to do would be to call for assistance and attempt to hold the inmate back. What would you suggest in a situation like this?"

"According to my current employment policy, in the event of a physical altercation between an inmate and another officer, I am trained to call code black, ensure all inmates are out of harm's way, and then assist."

"According to my training, when I observe that an inmate is engaged in a physical altercation with an officer, I'm supposed to [actions and procedures] to ensure [an outcome, e.g., the inmate is under control] while maintaining [conditions, e.g., officer and inmate safety]."

Anonymous Answer

"If my coworker got into a fight, I would immediately call for back up and order all inmates to get down on the floor."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a pretty good, basic response. If you have further training, feel free to get into more detail.

"If a fellow officer became involved in a physical altercation with an inmate, I would immediately call for backup. Then, I would order all inmates to get down on the floor. Next, I would assist my coworker in restraining the assaulting inmate."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"The first thing is to call for backup advice of the situation that you have and then go help your co-workers to restrain the inmate and avoid further aggression against my co-worker and safeguard the life of the inmate."

Rachelle's Feedback

It seems you have a solid understanding of what you would do. Good answer.

"The first step is to call for backup and advise of the situation. Then, I would go help my coworkers to restrain the inmate, avoiding further aggression. I would also take steps to safeguard the life of the inmate."

Anonymous Answer

"First I would radio in for backup quickly. Then I would grab the inmate and hold him until assistance arrived."

Rachelle's Feedback

Your answer shows a good understanding of safety and awareness. Good job.

Anonymous Answer

"According to my training, I will call for immediate assistance and ensure that other inmates are out of harm's way and assist."

Rachelle's Feedback

It's perfect that you referred to your training right away. Very good response!

Anonymous Answer

"I will call for a backup and ask the medical unit to be ready. While waiting for the backup, I will try to reduce any instigating behavior from other inmates, dismiss them to their cells as soon as possible, then make sure that the officer next to me is okay. My ultimate goal is to reduce the heat, maintain control, eliminate all potential threats to make sure that everyone is safe, including me. Observe, document and report."

Rachelle's Feedback

It sounds as though you have had some excellent training on this matter. Very thorough answer!

Anonymous Answer

"Try to be safe and protect him or her, hold the inmate's hands and body, handcuff the inmate, call other officers for more safety."

Rachelle's Feedback

It seems as though you have a sound system in place! If you have specific training and experience in scenarios like this one, it's a great opportunity to tell a memorable story.

Anonymous Answer

"I would immediately call for backup while I assessed the best way to assist my fellow officer and restrain the attacker."

Rachelle's Feedback

Good start! The more training you have, the fuller of a response you will be able to create. You mentioned military training in the past. Do you have training in this type of situation? If so, be sure to discuss any transferable training and knowledge.

How to Answer: What would you do if an officer next to you was engaged in a physical fight with an inmate?