Detective Interview
Questions

6. How many years did you serve as a Police Officer before being promoted to Detective? Discuss with the interviewer how your career progressed from Police Officer to a Detective. Be sure to talk about any special accolades and recognition that you achieved along the way. Here is an answer example: "I started as a Police Officer 9 years ago and was promoted to Detective after 7 years. I was able to achieve this promotion by committing to additional training and proving my ability as a reliable Officer."7. Have you ever had to fire your weapon? Firing your weapon as an Officer/Detective is quite rare. The interviewer would like to know if you have had to do so in the past. If you have fired your weapon you will likely have supporting documentation. Take that with you to your interview, if possible. If you have had to fire your weapon: "I have fired my weapon just once in my career. It was during a robbery and the suspect fired his weapon at my partner. I am happy to have you review the case file and all supporting documentation." If you have not had to fire your weapon: "I have never fired my weapon, I am happy and very thankful to say. If the situation occurred then I would absolutely feel confident in my ability to react appropriately." Here is an answer example: "I have fired my weapon just once in my career. It was during a robbery and the suspect fired his weapon at my partner. I am happy to have you review the case file and all supporting documentation."8. While attending post-secondary studies what was your best course? Which course did you struggle with the most? Take the interviewer through your post-secondary experience. What course did you enjoy most and which did you struggle with? Are these still stronger, and weaker, subjects for you? Talk about how you have overcome the more difficult subjects as well. Here is an answer example: "I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. I would say that the courses I struggled in the most would be the computing classes as I was not strong, in a technical sense, back then. My best course was victimology as I found it to be incredibly interesting and in-depth. It really taught me about strategy and compassion while working with victims of crime. Since graduating, I have taken additional coursework in computers, and a variety of software programs, so I am now confident in my abilities."9. Tell me about a time that you were ordered to work around the clock. Were you able to maintain your speed and wit throughout the entire shift? Maintaining focus and attention, even when asked to work around the clock, is very important. Assure the interviewer that you are able to do so. Here is an answer example: "As a Detective, I have been asked many times to work around the clock. I am able to maintain speed and wit by reminding myself that there are people relying on me to do my best every minute that I am working."10. How flexible is your schedule? Are you able to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed? As a detective, you will be required to work a huge variety of hours that include holidays and weekends. Assure the interviewer that you are able to manage, and accept, these expectations. Here is an answer example: "I am very aware of the intense requirements that come with being a Detective. I am able to meet these requirements and be flexible with my availability."11. What is your interview style as a Detective? Detectives must possess strong interview skills as this is a very large part of the job. Tell the interviewer how you would define your interview style and why you feel it is effective. Here is an answer example: "My most commonly used interview style would be described as a qualitative interview method.This style is incredibly useful because it feels more like a conversation, than an interview, to respondents. However; I am still guiding the conversation with the goal in mind of gathering information from a respondent."12. What additional training would you take if you could? Is there some sort of training or coursework that you would enjoy taking? Talk to the interviewer about any career related training that you would take if you could. Here is an answer example: "If I could take any additional training I would like to take training in deeper interviewing techniques. The psychology of it all is incredibly interesting to me and I feel that better tuned interview skills would assist me greatly in any investigation."13. How strong are your interview skills? As a Detective, you will be asked to interview suspects and victims on a regular basis. Assure the hiring manager that you are capable of this type of task. Here is an answer example: "I have many years' experience and training in interviewing and interrogation. I would consider my interview skills to be top notch; although I do realize that there is always more to learn. I am always open to new techniques and further training."14. Do you have a good memory and the ability to recall small details? As a Detective, it is very important that you are able to recall small details. Tell the interviewer about your strategy when it comes to your memory and recollection skills. Here is an answer example: "I have a very strong memory and am able to recall small details and important information. Throughout my career I have been able to refine this skill even more through memory exercises and committing to writing down small details as they occur, no matter how insignificant they may seem at the time."15. Tell me about a time when you needed to take on a leadership role. Did you enjoy being a leader? Are you a natural leader? Do you enjoy leadership and being a mentor? Talk to the interviewer about your capabilities and interest in taking on a bigger role as a leader. This is also a great time to mention any volunteer leadership roles you have taken on. Here is an answer example: "Leadership is a very important part of being a strong team member in the Police force. I really enjoy taking on a leadership role and offering help and advice to those who need it. In addition to this, I also volunteer with the Big Brothers program where I am able to mentor and lead young and troubled youth."16. Have you ever had to be on stress leave or take a leave of absence since beginning your career as a Police Officer / Detective? Taking a leave of absence is not uncommon in this particular line of work as the stress is high, and the hours are long. Discuss with the interviewer any absences you have taken since the start of your career as an Officer. If you have taken any type of leave, or experienced any type of dismissal, you must be open and honest about it. If there is any supporting documentation that you are permitted to have, bring that documentation with you as well. Here is an answer example: 17. How do you withstand the ethical dilemmas associated with this unique type of work? Ethical dilemmas will be frequent throughout your career as a Detective. Assure the interviewer that you are able to handle this type of challenge. Here is an answer example: "I understand that ethical dilemmas can occur and, lucky for me, I have always worked with incredibly talented Officers and Captains who have displayed appropriate reactions to these types of situations. I am confident in my ability to handle all types of ethical dilemmas that come my way. My integrity as an Officer/Detective is the most important factor in my success and I will not sway from my values."18. Are you able to work with minimal supervision? As a Detective, working unsupervised will be a regular part of your regime. Assure the interviewer that you are able to work productively with minimal supervision. Here is an answer example: "My previous Captain was very confident in my ability to work successfully on my own. I am able to work well in a team setting and on my own. Neither scenario is a concern to my productivity."19. Are you a trustworthy person? Are you a person who is easily relied on? Do people consider you trustworthy? How you do see yourself in this light? Tell the hiring manager how you view your level of trustworthiness. Here is an answer example: "I do consider myself a trustworthy person and have been referred to as a trustworthy person many times in my career. This is an incredibly important characteristic and I take pride in my reputation as such."20. Do you strive for excellence in everything that you do? Striving for excellence should be a very important part of being a Police Officer/Detective. Talk to the interviewer about the steps that you take to ensure excellence in everything that you do. Here is an answer example: "I absolutely strive for excellence in everything that I do. As a Detective, there is a great amount of pressure, both professionally and personally, to always do my best. I take my duty seriously and continually strive to better myself through additional training and accepting feedback from my peers and Captain."21. How perceptive are you? As a Detective, it is very important to be highly perceptive by nature. Talk to the hiring manager about your skill level when it comes to perception. Here is an answer example: "To be perceptive is to have the ability to see, hear, and become keenly aware of situations by using all of my senses. I am highly trained to be a perceptive individual and believe this skill is vital to my success as a Detective."22. How are your communication skills with your superiors? Do you have an issue with authority? Assure the interviewer that you are more than capable of strong and smooth communication with everyone, including your superiors on the job. Here is an answer example: "I am a very strong, and respectful, communicator when it comes to my superiors. I believe that this stems from my strict upbringing as well as my Military background. My current Captain and I have a very healthy relationship and he will attest to that should you speak with him."23. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Discuss with the interviewer what your long term career goals look like, and show your dedication to get there. Be sure to display to the interviewer that you plan to stay in this new role for the longer term, Here is an answer example: "As a Police Officer, my goal has always been to become a Detective in a Homicide Unit. In 5 years I would definitely like to see myself there and leading a team myself. I am absolutely willing to complete any additional training and coursework required to get me there."24. What are your career goals as a Detective? As a Detective, you should be focused, decisive, and know what you want. Show the interviewer that you are capable of utilizing these traits and discuss where you are determined to take your career. Here is an answer example: "My career goals as a Detective include being the top of my unit and advancing through the ranks quickly. I plan to be an example to those around me on strong communication, leadership, documentation and integrity. I would, of course, like to become Captain one day and understand the work required to get there."