Becoming a Police Officer: Video Exams, Essay Exams and Police Training (page 2)

Video and Essay Exams

Although the multiple-choice written exam is the most common test used by police agencies, particularly in medium-to-large-sized departments, other types of examinations are sometimes used-specifically, a video test and an essay test. These examinations basically evaluate the same ability areas tested in the typical written test, but use different formats.

Video Testing

Video testing is not yet a common method of testing law enforcement applicants, but it is gaining in popularity for several reasons. First, it allows applicants to view streaming video instead of merely reading a scenario. This avoids issues associated with reading errors and more closely simulates a police officer's experiences on the job. This test permits applicants with common sense but weaker academic skills to score well, while applicants with strong academic skills but weaker common sense often do poorly.

Second, video tests can be simultaneously graded. This means that the written or knowledge-based portion of the exam may be given the day before another aspect of the exam rather than several weeks in advance. The scores from video exams are quickly available for use in calculating an applicant's total score on all of the law enforcement tests. Finally, these tests are easy to administer. They do not require a proctor to set a time limit; the program merely ends at the end of the allotted time. These tests can be set to vary the presentation of questions, making it more difficult for applicants to cheat.

Finally, video tests are easy to update on an annual or semi-annual basis. The cost of developing a test and then generating brand new paper materials every time an exam is given can be quite high. Video tests are cost-effective to develop and are flexible enough to allow them to be modified for every examinee to limit opportunities for cheating.

In a typical video test, the viewer sees a series of short videos and then answers any questions presented. The questions are usually in multiple-choice format. However, the focus of the questions is much broader than the focus of questions presented in written exams. The question may be phrased to evaluate social skills or one's ability to correctly perceive the danger involved in a situation. The questions may also be phrased to assess the same types of abilities evaluated by standard written exams, such as problem sensitivity and the ability to memorize.

State Requirements

Most states have mandated that police officers receive training. The hours required for police recruit training vary from state to state. Generally, states require a minimum of 12 weeks of recruit police training. To assist smaller police departments, a few states allow very small police departments to hire probationary law enforcement officers, but the states require that these probationary officers successfully pass the training provided by the police academy within the first year of being hired.

Generally, medium-sized and large cities require that police recruits receive police recruit training prior to working as police officers. In addition, it is not unusual for these departments to require more training than small departments. Generally, larger departments have training requirements ranging from 22 weeks to about 18 months. Once recruit training school has been competed police recruits then have several months of field training. Field training refers to working under the supervision of a senior police officer.

Training Requirements

Police recruit training subjects are taught at police academies. The hours for the training courses vary depending on the time frame of the training facility.

A list of commonly taught courses is as follows:

Law

• United States Constitution and Bill of Rights
• State Criminal Laws
• Testifying in Court
• State and Federal Criminal Procedures
• Laws of Arrest, Search and Seizure
• Juvenile Code and Procedures
• Alcohol Beverage Control Laws
• Traffic Code
• Laws of Evidence
• Civil and Criminal Liability of Police
• Use of Force-Legal Aspects
• Civil Process
• Legal Guidelines in Interrogation

Police Patrol Procedures

• Introduction to Patrol
• Crowd Control/Chemical Agents
• Officer Survival
• Mechanics of Arrest
• Criminal Justice Information System
• DUI Recognition and Apprehension
• Vehicle Stops
• Building Searches
• Crimes in Progress Calls
• Hazardous Material Awareness Level
• Handcuffing and Search Techniques
• Occupational Protection Usage and Environment

Police Investigation Procedures

• Collecting, Recording and Protecting Physical Evidence
• Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
• Laboratory Services and Polygraphy
• Techniques of Interviews, Admissions and Statements
• Accident Investigation
• Arson Investigation
• Developing Informants
• Bomb Calls, Threats and Investigations
• Crimes against Persons
  • Assault
  • Robbery
  • Sex Crimes
  • Hostage Situations
  • Death Investigations
  • Hate-bias Crimes
  • Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children
• Crimes against Property
  • Credit Card Fraud
  • Checks and Frauds
  • Burglary
  • Theft

Human Relations

• Interpersonal Communications
  • Communication Process
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Police Professionalism
• Crisis Situations
  • Domestic Violence
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Abnormal Behavior
• Police-Community Relations
  • Crime Prevention
  • Community and PR

Demonstrable/Proficiency Areas

• Report Writing
• Defensive Tactics
• Firearms
• Fingerprinting
• Emergency Vehicle Operations
• Practical Problems in Felony Stops
• Practical Problems in Criminal Investigations
• Moot Court
• Practical Problems in Officer Survival
• Practical Problems in Crisis Intervention
• Physical Training

Medical/Emergency

• Basic First Aid
• CPR
• Infectious Diseases

Examinations

Police recruits are expected to successfully pass all course work with a minimum score of 70 percent. Most academies limit the opportunities for recruits to repeat failed exams over any of the required areas of study. Thus, the time spent at police academies is intended to be a time of intense focus and will require all recruits to prove their ability to learn the standards for carrying out the duties of policing both quickly and well.

Conduct and Behavior

Police recruits are expected to conduct themselves in a highly professional manner and to avoid problems with the law and the general public. Recruits can be dismissed from the academy for illegal, unethical or inappropriate behavior. Additionally, recruits will be expected to avoid any actions that create even the appearance of impropriety. By adhering to these rigorous educational and behavioral standards, police recruits grow to understand the high expectations that the public places upon its law enforcement officers.