When taking the Situational Judgment Test on the written police exam, it is important to maintain the mindset of a police officer. Police officers should think in a simple and straightforward manner, and must take effective actions with quick decision-making. Establishing the following three fundamentals will help individuals facing an SJT for police & law enforcement:
Using these guidelines, you will get the correct responses to police situational judgment questions.
Common Sense
Using common sense is essential for police officers, and thus it is to be utilized when answering police situational judgment questions. Common sense should also prompt officers to maintain composure rather than jump to conclusions. This includes properly sizing up situations and not reacting based on one's first glance.
Police Priorities
Though these priorities may vary, as each law enforcement department defines them differently, they can be generally identified for the police SJT. Police priorities, along with common sense, are necessary when assessing situations. They enable officers to properly determine the most appropriate and effective courses of action. Generally, the most significant police priorities are as follows:
- Protect others
- Secure public order
- Uphold the law
- Provide non-emergency assistance
- Maintain order
- Maintain traffic flow
On the job, law enforcement officers are often faced with situations that can be filled with conflicting values. Police priorities are set in place to support the decision-making abilities of officers so that the actions taken are determined based on values and priorities accepted and designated by the department.
Police Hierarchy
The police hierarchy deals with rank and authority of the value system within the parameters of order, regimens, policies, and regulations of law enforcement.
Generally, the police hierarchy is as follows:
- Protect life & limb
- Obey orders
- Protect property
- Maintain assigned duties
Since police officials work as a team, their combined efforts are most efficient when everyone works under the same rules and hierarchy. The procedures of rank and authority formed in police hierarchy guarantee the smooth operation of the whole department. They also allow individual officers to make necessary decisions based on their own judgement, based on their own experience.
Hints & Tips for Police SJT
- Make sure to pay very close attention to the provided information.
- Read closely and thoroughly.
- Use the three fundamentals: common sense, police priorities, and police hierarchies.
- Before reaching a decision, consider all the facts; don’t jump to conclusions or make assumptions.
- Make a decision, then review your decision - does it work within the framework of the three fundamentals?
- Trust your own instincts.
Many police departments set clear parameters for various situations. However, due to the nature of the job, police officers face unexpected situations every day and the clear parameters cannot cover such situations. Therefore, your practical judgment and common sense are tested extremely thoroughly. It is also important to be familiar with the priority lists and know their order of importance in order to succeed on the Situational Judgment Test.
Prepare for Your Police SJT & Apply With Confidence
JobTestPrep offers a variety of preparatory tools such as the SJT practice tests. JobTestPrep's practice tests enable you to familiarize yourself with the various types of questions found on the SJT. Familiarity with the test structure inspires confidence so start studying now with JobTestPrep and succeed on your SJT test. We also offer the Free SJT Sample Questions and helpful Situational Judgment Test tips.
