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How can I prepare for the written exam?
There are around 100 questions covering reading, writing, and logical reasoning on the written examination.
You will need to have excellent reading and writing skills, such as spelling, English comprehension, grammar and vocabulary.
We recommend you read articles, magazines, publications and books and then quiz yourself later on in the day on items you read.
Practice writing without the use of spell-checking software or electronic devices.
There are several resources online to help people improve these skills.
Why is spelling and grammar important?
Everything we do in law enforcement is documented. This documentation is then viewed by other police officers, supervisors, attorneys, judges, all parties to a crime, and can be released to the public.
Your credibility and the department’s professionalism is on view for the public to see. Although it may seem small, when people find errors in your written documentation, they may wonder what errors were made in the arrest of a subject or an investigation.
What should I wear or look like for the testing?
Part of the hiring process is the constant evaluation of applicants. From the day you pick up or turn in any paperwork, to your physical agility, to various testing appointments, you will be observed.
You should practice good hygiene, such as having clean fingernails. Your hair should be neat and professional in appearance.
Clean, professional business attire should be considered any time you make an appearance. Obviously, this is not the case for the physical agility, where you should be wearing appropriate training clothing.
For the oral interview, you should wear a properly tailored suit or business attire. Do not wear outlandish ties or colors, or have any lapel pins or jewelry on which would cause a distraction.
Do traffic tickets affect my ability to get hired?
Traffic tickets themselves do not necessarily pose a problem in the hiring process; however, repetitious receiving of traffic tickets can have an impact on your processing.
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How can I prepare for the physical agility?
The physical agility test is purposely designed to see how your body reacts and performs when completing high-intensity, short-duration skills and movements.
While lifting weights are excellent for building strength and toning a person’s physique, it does little to help you prepare your joints, muscles, and tendons for the physical agility test in terms of different movements and cardiovascular demands.
Any type of functional fitness workout, such as a bootcamp, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), or CrossFit style workout routine would be excellent to use in your preparation for the physical agility test.
Do you check social media activity?
We will view your public online activities, as this is a good way for us to see how you conduct yourself in life.
In today’s climate, social media can reveal a great deal about a person. If you exercise good judgment, display a positive attitude, and behave in a manner desired of a member of the law enforcement community, your social media activities will be viewed favorably.
Will credit issues affect my processing?
Having good credit is a good indicator of who you are as a person, in terms of meeting obligations, making wise decisions, maturity, and adhering to deadlines.
We also understand things happen in a person’s life, such as a divorce or catastrophic event, may negatively impact your credit. We take this into consideration when reviewing your credit information.
Each applicant is evaluated individually, on a case-by-case basis.
What are the top reasons people fail?
There are a number of reasons why people fail, but the top reasons are typically:
Dishonesty – Either omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualification.
Attention To Detail – Not fully completing paperwork or assigned tasks.
Not Meeting Obligations – Arriving late or forgetting appointments.
What should I know for the oral interview?
During the interview, we are going to ask questions about you as a person, as well as questions pertaining to why you want to work for us, and the skills you possess.
We are also going to see how well you have prepared, and your specific desire to work at the Santa Maria Police Department. What do you know about our department? Who is our leadership team and what are some various facts about our community?
Don’t see your question?
If you do not see your question, send it to one of our recruiters and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.