Police Records Specialist Exam Prep

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What is the Police Records Specialist Test?


The police records specialist test measures clerical abilities through questions in a number of fields including filing, coding, reading comprehension, error checking, and more. The number of questions and length of the police records clerk test can vary, however it ranges from approximately 50 to 100 questions, and can take between 1.5 to 3 hours to complete.

To pass the test, you will need to answer 70% of the questions correctly.

The police records clerk test ensures that only candidates who are right for the meticulous and accurate demands of the work are selected. Although police records clerk tests can vary in length and format depending on the police department you are applying for, the tests regularly include questions regarding the following fields, which are central to the requirements of the position:

  • Error checking and attention to detail – measure your ability to spot small differences between sets of information, for instance in data entry.
  • Verbal abilities – since the work of the police records specialist revolves around written information, having solid verbal abilities is a fundamental area measured in the test.
  • Coding – utilizing codes in an efficient and effective manner is a central part of the police records specialist’s work, and part of what you will be tested on.
  • Filing and record keeping – a reflection of your organizational skills, this field refers to the ability to assimilate information from a variety of sources in order to maintain seamless track of police department records such as arrest records and police reports.

Police Records Clerk Sample Questions

In this section we will review sample questions that represent the main sections of the police records clerk test. Remember that in the real test, you will be timed so try not to take too long answering the questions!

Police Records Clerk Sample Questions - Error Checking 

ORIGINAL

Resident:
Timothy T. Dupree, M.D.   ;   Elizabeth W. Tillett, M.D.   Betty N. Williams, D.O.

Patient:
Peter M. Cooper   ;   Joyce L. Foster   ;   Clair S. Salazar

COPY

Resident:
Timothy T. Dupree, M.D.   ;   Elizabeth W. Tillet, M.D.   ;   Betty N. Williams, M.D.

Patient:
Peter M. Cooper   ;   Joyse L. Foster   ;   Clair S. Salazar

 

The number of errors in the COPY when compared to the ORIGINAL is:

Zero
One
Two
Three
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Notice there is a missing "t" in the copy version of Tillett, M.D instead of D.O as Betty Williams' title, and Joyce is spelled wrongly with an "S" in the copy version. 

 

 

Police Records Clerk Sample Questions - Coding

Each employee at a government office is given an ID code. The ID code is determined by the employee's name, date of birth and department (in that order). In order to ensure that two people are not given the same ID code, 2 random numbers are added to the end of each ID code.

The rules for the ID code are as follows:
4 letters- first 2 letters of last name followed by first 2 letters of first name
4 digits- mm/dd For example, February 3rd will be coded as 0203.
1 letter- first letter of department

Note: The codes are recorded in the same order as they appear above.

Arthur Morrison works as an executive assistant in the Public Relations department. He was born on November 23, 1978. What is his ID code?

MOAR1123P
ARMO1123P56
ARMO1978PR44
MOAR1123P83
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

We can solve this question without writing out the entire code. As soon as we recognize that his name should be coded as MOAR, we can eliminate answers B and C.

Now, let's examine the remaining answer choices, A and D. We will notice that the middle 4 numbers and the following letter of both answer choices are identical, and there is therefore no reason check if they are correct. The only difference between answers A and D is that D has 83 added at the end. Since we are told that each ID code has two random digits added after the initial of the employee's department, answer D must be the correct answer.

 

Janice Marks works in the Customer Service department. Her birthday is May 2. What is her ID code?

JAMAC0502585
MAJAC050244
MAJA0502C44
JAMA0502C85
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

As soon as we recognize that her name should be coded as MAJA, we can eliminate answers A and D.

Now, let's examine the remaining answer choices, B and C. In answer B the letter 'C' (presumably representing Customer Service) follows the first 4 letters which represent her name, and in answer C the letter 'C' appears after the initial four digits (representing date of birth). Since the first letter of the department are supposed to follow the first 4 digits for date of birth, answer B can be eliminated. We are now left with answer C, which is the correct answer.

 

 

Police Records Clerk Sample Questions - Filing

 

If the names Bill Tracy, Freddy Torres, Molly Towers, and Thanos Titus were arranged for alphabetic filing, the position of the underlined name would be: 

First
Second
Third
Fourth
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The names rewritten for alphabetic filing (last name first).
Tracy Bill, Torres Freddy, Towers Molly, Titus Thanos.

Arranged by alphabetic order.
Titus Thanos, Torres Freddy, Towers Molly, Tracy Bill.

Police Records Clerk Requirements

The police records specialist (also known as police records clerk or police records technician) is a civil service position within the police, and a vital component in any police department that has significant responsibility over sensitive administrative work.

Candidates applying for police records clerk jobs at entry level must comply with the following basic requirements, on top of passing the police records clerk test:

  • High school diploma, or the equivalent 
  • Experience level of at least two years office administration work
  • Background checks typical for similarly sensitive government jobs

The list below is not required, but is desired and can give you an edge over other candidates:

  • Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or similar
  • Two years record maintenance experience, law related
  • Knowledge of criminal databases such as CLETS and CJIC
  • P.O.S.T public records act course
  • Valid driver's license
  • Bilingual

 Prepare for the Police Records Clerk Exam

The wide array of question types and unique abilities tested on this exam can be extremely challenging. JobTestPrep's preparation package contains practice tests that will help you prepare for all the sections mentioned above,  that will help you brush up on your clerical skills and simulate testing conditions.

Police records clerk jobs are in high demand, don't let the competition beat you to the job. Start preparing with JobTestPrep today.

 

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