Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
-
Confidence
-
A book (or video) about police civil service exams
-
Established friendships with police officers
-
Access to inside police info (if possible)
-
A clean criminal record
-
A good employment history
Step1
Go out to a bookstore or shop online for a book (or video) that promises you that you'll not only pass, but score higher on a police exam. If possible, buy one that includes practice exams. Then, read it, study it, read it, and study it as much and as often as possible. There is at least one company that offers a “Police Exam Video Training Course.” The company's home study course promises that you'll get “top scores” on your police exam with “satisfaction guaranteed.”
Step2
Attempt to forge friendships police officers. A good way to start is by gaining employment as a non- civil service police dispatcher. While learning all the ins and outs of police department operations, you'll form friendships with police officers. Then spend as much time as possible with your new friends. Ask them as many questions as you can and learn all you can from the officers.
Step3
If possible, go on “Ride-Alongs” with the police officers that you know. Some police departments will allow this, others will not for reasons of liability. If they let you ride along with the officers, you'll gain a wealth of information from the experience. After each situation you encounter, ask the officer why he did things the way he did and why he made the decisions he made during the incident.
Step4
Sign up for and take a similar civil service exam. Almost any other exam in the law enforcement field will do, such as the Dept of Motor Vehicles, or Environmental Police. Often, state colleges have Civil Service Campus Police Officer Jobs. Use this exam for practice. You'll get an idea of how well you'll do and get a feel for what to expect from your real police exam.
Step5
When you possible, make notes about your experiences with the officers. Note things about the laws in your community, what took place, and how the officers handled each situation.
Step6
Gain all the knowledge and experience that you can get from as many reliable sources as possible. Start thinking like a cop and be confident in yourself, your knowledge, and your abilities. If you follow the steps above, you should do fine on the exam. Good luck.