police officer/deputy sheriff - Performance Measurement::Personnel

POLICE OFFICER/DEPUTY SHERIFF
Wednesday, December 9th, 2015
Test Information Guide for Candidates
Contact Person:
Megan Krueger
Assessment & Development Specialist
[email protected]
Test Registration Deadline:
Friday, December 4, 2015 at 4PM
Test Location:
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC)
South Meeting Rooms
2100 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd N.
Downtown Birmingham
Personnel Board of Jefferson County
2121 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd
Birmingham AL 35203
Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff, 2015
Test Information Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POLICE OFFICER/DEPUTY SHERIFF EXAMINATION INFORMATION...................................................... 3
THE WRITTEN TEST ............................................................................................................................... 4
GENERAL TEST TAKING TIPS ................................................................................................................. 5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE WRITTEN TEST ............................................................ 6
Personnel Board Cheating Rule ........................................................................................................ 6
Written Test Date ............................................................................................................................. 6
What to Bring to the Test ................................................................................................................. 6
After the Personnel Board Test ........................................................................................................ 7
ABOUT THE POLICE ACADEMY ............................................................................................................. 8
POLICE ACADEMY PHYSICAL AGILITY AND ABILITY TEST ..................................................................... 8
Phase One – Physical Agility Test ..................................................................................................... 9
Event 1 - Pushing .......................................................................................................................... 9
Event 2 - Climbing......................................................................................................................... 9
Event 3 – Window Entry ............................................................................................................... 9
Event 4 - Balance .......................................................................................................................... 9
Event 5 – Weight Drag................................................................................................................ 10
Phase Two – Physical Ability Test ................................................................................................... 10
Event 1 – Timed Push-ups .......................................................................................................... 10
Event 2 – Timed Sit-ups .............................................................................................................. 10
Event 3 – 1.5 Mile Run ............................................................................................................... 11
POLICE ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................... 11
CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................................................................... 13
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS .................................................................................................................. 13
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Test Information Guide
POLICE OFFICER/DEPUTY SHERIFF EXAMINATION INFORMATION
The Personnel Board of Jefferson County has prepared this guide to acquaint Police Officer and
Deputy Sheriff applicants with the testing procedures. You do not need to be familiar with
technical procedures or have experience in law enforcement to do well on this exam. It measures
the basic abilities and personal characteristics required to succeed in law enforcement. Research
has shown that people who score well on this type of exam frequently make better law
enforcement officers.
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take the written test.
Minimum qualifications:
1. Must have no felony convictions
2. Must have no convictions in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term
exceeding 1 year
3. Must have no convictions of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
4. Must not be subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or
threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner
5. Must have an honorable discharge if served in the US Armed Forces
6. Must be a citizen of the United States
7. Must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D.
8. Must be at least 19 years of age
9. Must have a valid driver's license
10. Must be in good physical health and physically fit
Within several weeks of submitting your application, you should receive notification indicating
whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications. If you have a change of address, email, or
phone number, you must go to www.JobsQuest.org, log in to your account in the Personnel Board
application system, go to EDIT APPLICATION, and change your information. If you meet the
minimum qualifications, the notice will also contain information regarding how to register to take
the written test. Persons requiring special conditions to accommodate a disability in the
examination process must notify the Personnel Board in writing at least 1 week prior to the test. If
you would like to request accommodations, contact the personnel board via email at
[email protected] or by phone at (205) 279-3555.
The examination will consist of a written test. You will not be permitted to take the test if you
have not registered for a specific testing time. The test should last about three hours. However,
you should plan on being at the testing facility for up to four hours to facilitate check-in/out and
the reading of all instructions. The following pages tell you more about the test. If you have any
questions about the application or testing process please contact Megan Krueger at
[email protected] or (205) 279-3629.
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Test Information Guide
THE WRITTEN TEST
The goal of the written test is to identify candidates who are likely to succeed in the Police
Academy as well as on the job. The written test was developed based on a review of the job
duties and characteristics of successful Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff recruits. The following
Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are measured by the written exam:
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Reading Comprehension
Written Communication
Measurement/Numerical Information
Scheduling and Coordinating
Reasoning/Critical Thinking
Decision Making/Judgment
Flexibility
Applying Technical Skills
Using Force
Professional Impression
Command Presence
Person Perception
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Teamwork and Cooperation
Conscientiousness
Personal and Career Development Orientation
Adaptation to Job Demands
Stress Tolerance
The written test was developed to measure the KSAs most critical to success at the Police
Academy and on the job.
Applicants who qualify for the job of Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff will take a written test, The
Police Officer Skills Profile (POSP), on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 in the South Meeting Rooms
of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC). This survey asks a series of questions
related to your life experiences, including experiences in school, at home, at work, and in the
community. These questions have been shown to be related to successful job performance of
Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs. You must answer these questions truthfully as they apply to
your own life experiences. Since your responses can be verified, providing untruthful answers
could result in your disqualification from the testing process. You will have approximately two
hours and forty-five minutes to complete this exam.
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Test Information Guide
GENERAL TEST TAKING TIPS
Have a positive attitude. Approach the test as you would approach a difficult task. It might be
tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success.
Get plenty of rest. The night before the test you should get to bed early. Remember, your brain
and body need sleep to function well, so do not stay up late!
Eat breakfast/lunch. You think better when you have a full stomach. Therefore, do not skip
breakfast/lunch the day of the test.
Come prepared. Know when and where you are supposed to take the test. Bring your valid
Driver’s License. All materials required to take the test, including pencils, will be provided.
Arrive early for the test. Allow adequate time for parking at the test facility. Candidates who
arrive late will not be permitted to take the test. After the test begins, the doors will be locked
and no one will be allowed inside the examination room.
Listen to and read all instructions. Listen to all instructions from the test administrator and read
all instructions contained in the test. You want to make sure you are marking answers accurately.
If you cannot hear or understand the instructions, raise your hand.
Do not disturb yourself or others. Communication devices (e.g., cell phones, radios, laptops,
tablets, e-readers, etc.) are not permitted at the testing site, so please do not bring them. If you
bring a cell phone or other electronic device, you will be asked to return it to your car. Do not
chew gum loudly, eat or drink during the exam.
Stay relaxed and confident. Do not let yourself become anxious. If you feel anxious before or
during a test, take several slow, deep breaths to relax. Do not get worried or frustrated. If you get
stuck on a question, reread it to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way
you know how. If you are still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later.
Manage your time. Answer the test questions in a strategic order. Scan through the test quickly
before starting. Answering the easy questions first can be a time saver and a confidence builder.
Plus, it saves more time in the end for you to focus on the more difficult questions. Work quickly,
but carefully. Try to answer every question.
Be neat. Be careful when filling in the scantron answer sheet, and do not make extra marks/notes.
The answer sheet is machine-scored and the machine cannot tell an answer from a doodle. Erase
your mistakes thoroughly. Also, make sure you mark only one answer for each question.
Guess smart. You are not penalized for guessing, therefore if you do not know an answer you
should guess. If you can rule out one or more answer choices as definitely wrong for a multiplechoice question, your chances of guessing the right answer improve. What if you have no idea
about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can.
Answer honestly. Be yourself and use common sense when making decisions and responding to
the test questions. The questions are not designed to be tricky. Do not try to anticipate or guess
the expected answer.
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Test Information Guide
Reserve time for review. Resist the urge to leave as soon as you have completed all the items.
Check the clock and go back through your answer sheet to make sure you have answered all the
questions. Review your answers, making sure that you did not make any careless mistakes (such
as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Since your first choice is
usually correct, don't change your answers unless you are sure of the correction. Spend the last
remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test.
Follow these test tips, and you will know you did your best!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE WRITTEN TEST
Personnel Board Cheating Rule
The Personnel Board has a strict “no cheating” rule. If you are caught cheating during the test
your answer sheet will be taken and you will receive a zero on the test. In addition, you will be
barred from taking any future merit system examinations (Rule 9.14).
NOTE: Using any communication device (e.g., cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc.) after you have
checked into the test site will be considered cheating!
Written Test Date
You will not be permitted to take the exam if you have not registered for a specific testing date
and time. The test is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2015.
The test will be administered at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. You are responsible
for your own parking. You should arrive to the test site early in order to avoid parking issues. If
you arrive late (even if it’s because you were taking your electronic device to your car), you will
NOT be permitted to enter the facility and take the test!
What to Bring to the Test
You should bring a VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE in order to check-in on the day of the test. When you
check in, PBJC staff will ensure your license is valid (i.e., non-expired) and that you are at least 19
years of age. You will NOT be permitted to take the test unless you have a valid driver’s license!
The Personnel Board will supply all other materials including pencils and erasers.
What to Leave at Home
DO NOT bring any communication devices (e.g., cell phones, radios, laptops, tablets, e-readers,
etc.). If you bring a cell phone or other electronic device, you will be asked to return it to your car.
We will not confiscate/hold them. Using any communication device after you have checked in to
the test site will be considered cheating, and you will receive a zero on the test.
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You must comply with this rule in order to be admitted and you will still be subject to the
check-in time deadline.
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Do not bring this guide with you. All information needed for the examination will be
provided to you at the examination.
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Test Information Guide
After the Personnel Board Test
You will receive the results of your written test by email typically within 4-6 weeks of your test
date. Be sure to check your spam folder periodically to ensure you do not miss this email. Once
you take the test, you cannot retake the test for 1 year. If you successfully pass the written test,
your name will be added to the Eligible Register for Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff. Your name will
be placed in rank order according to your score on the written test. Your rank will change as other
individuals are selected and hired off of the eligible register and as new applicants take the test
and are added to the register. You will remain on the register for 1 year. After 1 year, your name
will be removed from the register and you will have to reapply and retake the test to be placed
back on the register.
Names are sent to departments with vacancies throughout the Merit System (i.e., Jefferson
County, Birmingham, and 15 other cities within Jefferson County that are served by the Personnel
Board) according to rank on the written test. Vacancies may become available in any of the
departments at any time throughout the year. The number of candidates sent to each jurisdiction
for employment consideration depends upon the number of Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff
vacancies for that jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction makes the final hiring decision. The departments
then may conduct background checks, criminal record checks, or other procedures to review
candidates. You may also be required to pass a physical abilities test at the discretion of the
department. Polygraph tests may be administered. The department may contact you to schedule
an interview, so keep your phone number, email, and address current. If you have a change of
address, email, or phone number, you must go to www.JobsQuest.org and LOGIN to your account
in the Personnel Board application system, go to EDIT APPLICATION, and change your information.
Finally, take a few moments to consider the serious nature of the duties of Police Officer/Deputy
Sheriff. These duties include protecting life and property, maintaining law and order, responding
to emergency calls, patrolling assigned areas, investigating crimes, performing administrative and
training duties, and insuring the security and well-being of inmates. Hundreds of Police Officers
and Deputy Sheriffs are killed or wounded in the line of duty every year across the United States.
The job includes dealing with people who are angry, dangerous, mentally unstable, and unhealthy.
Also, many duties will often be routine and monotonous. Night and weekend shifts will be
required.
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Test Information Guide
ABOUT THE POLICE ACADEMY
If you are selected and hired by one of the jurisdictions to become a Police Officer, the jurisdiction
will send you to a Police Academy. You MUST be certified by the Police Academy before you may
serve as a Police Officer. (To read more about the Police Academy, visit the APOSTC website at
www.apostc.state.al.us).
The jurisdiction will send you to one of the following academy locations in Alabama:
Southwest AL Police Academy
P O Box 129
Bay Minette, Alabama 36507
Phone: (251) 937-1840
Fax: (251) 937-1839
Criminal Justice Training Center
349 Avenue C., Craig Field
Selma, Alabama 36701
Phone: (334) 872-0435
Fax: (334) 874-6669
Northeast Police Academy
100 Gamecock Drive
Fort McClellan, Alabama 36205
Phone: (256) 782-5318
Fax: (256) 782-5317
Mobile Police Academy
1251 Virginia Street
Mobile, Alabama 36604
Phone: (251) 208-2732
Fax: (334) 208-2728
Montgomery Police Academy
740 Mildred Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Phone: (334) 240-4812
Fax: (334) 240-4539
Birmingham Police Academy
1710 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203-2010
Phone: (205) 254-6356
Fax: (205) 254-6546
Dept. of Corrections Training Academy
351 Avenue C., Craig Field
Selma, Alabama 36701
Phone: (334) 242-8657
Fax: (334) 874-6046
Jefferson CO SO Law Enforcement Academy
3500 Happy Hollow Road
Fultondale, Alabama 35068
Phone: (205) 849-5246
Fax: (205) 849-6407
Huntsville Police Academy
3011-A Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, Alabama 35810
Phone: (256) 746-4409
Fax: (256) 851-4038
APOSTC Law Enforcement Academy at Tuscaloosa
7601 Robert Cardinal Airport Rd, 2nd Floor
Northport, Alabama 35476-0404
Phone: (205) 759-3000
Fax: (205) 759-3004
While at the Police Academy, you must meet a variety of standards. The first of these is a test of
physical agility and ability. You must also meet an educational requirement.
POLICE ACADEMY PHYSICAL AGILITY AND ABILITY TEST
As an applicant you are required to pass a test of physical agility and ability as an entry-level
requirement to the law enforcement training academy condition of certification. The test is
composed of two phases, physical agility and physical ability components, and both parts will be
administered on the same day. The test is formatted to a pass/fail structure. Failure to successfully
complete any part of phase one or two means failure of the entire physical agility and ability test.
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After failure of any part of the exam, the applicant will be given an opportunity for one (1) retest
within forty-eight (48) to seventy-two (72) hours (determined at the test administrator's
discretion). The examination will be conducted at the Police Academy during your 480 hours of
basic training. The physical agility/ability test is to be administered within the first five class days of
the academy. Each event is to be video-taped.
Phase One – Physical Agility Test
The physical agility portion of the test simulates certain specific activities routinely expected of a
law enforcement officer or correctional officer, and consists of five events designed to measure
minimum levels of endurance, strength, agility and coordination.
This test simulates any number of job-related activities such as jumping down from porches,
climbing stairs, walking along walls, rafters, pipes, or beams while in foot pursuit or while checking
buildings for suspects. A period of running is incorporated into each of the events to simulate the
apprehension and control of a fleeing suspect.
The time limit for the five physical agility events is ninety (90) seconds.
Event 1 - Pushing
This test requires pushing a patrol vehicle a distance of fifteen (15) feet on a paved, level surface
with the gear in neutral. A driver will remain inside the vehicle at all times as a safety factor.
This will demonstrate the applicant's ability to remove or assist in the removal of a stalled vehicle
from an intersection in order to eliminate a traffic hazard or restore the flow of traffic.
Event 2 - Climbing
This is essentially a wall surmount and is intended to measure agility and coordination. It consists
of a fence, six (6) feet in height. One fence is made of wood and one is a chain link fence. The
applicant has the choice of which fence to climb. Only one fence will be climbed. These are typical
of the type commonly found around numerous business establishments as well as those found
around residences.
Event 3 – Window Entry
The applicant must run a distance of fifty (50) yards to the next position where the applicant will
step through an obstacle approximately twenty-four (24) inches square.
This insures that the applicant has sufficient body mobility to step through an obstacle the
approximate size of a residential window.
Event 4 - Balance
The balance test requires running a distance of twenty-five (25) yards and then surmounting a six
(6) inch by six (6) inch beam suspended one (1) foot in the air and walking a distance of fifteen (15)
feet. At the end of the beam, the applicant is required to jump the one foot distance to the
ground.
The balance beam is a combination test demonstrating the ability to maintain balance while
moving forward on a flat surface to a narrow surface and back to a flat surface again. Minimum
levels of both balance and coordination are required.
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Test Information Guide
Event 5 – Weight Drag
The applicant is required to run a distance of twenty-five (25) yards and then lift, pull, or drag a
dead weight object (dummy) approximately one hundred sixty-five (165) pounds for a distance of
fifteen (15) feet. The applicant will drop the weight at the finish line.
This test is designed to gauge the applicant's ability to extricate a human being from an
automobile, burning building, etc.
This concludes the physical agility portion of the exam. After a minimum of a 20 minute rest break,
you will proceed to the physical ability portion of the test.
Phase Two – Physical Ability Test
Event 1 – Timed Push-ups
On the "Get Ready" command, the applicant will assume the front-leaning rest position (push-up)
with the arms straight, elbows locked, hands about shoulder width apart, and palms placed on the
floor. The feet may be together or up to twelve (12) inches apart. The body should be essentially
straight when viewed from the side, from the shoulders to the ankles.
On the "Start Push-Ups" command, the applicant begins the push-up by bending the elbows and
lowering the entire body until the chest touches the fist of the Test Administrator (the upper arms
should be parallel to the ground at this point).
The applicant returns to the starting position by raising the entire body until the arms are fully
extended. The applicant may rest in the up (elbows locked) position only. The body must remain in
a generally straight line and as a single unit for the entire repetition.
Failure to perform the required number of repetitions in the time allotted results in failure. Failure
to keep the body straight or to properly lower the entire body until the chest touches the Test
Administrator's fist or allowing any part of the body other than the hands or feet to touch the
ground results in disqualification. Incorrect movements will not be counted.
Each applicant has sixty (60) seconds to complete twenty-two (22) push-ups.
After a minimum twenty (20) minute rest, applicants will begin the timed sit-up event.
Event 2 – Timed Sit-ups
On the "Get Ready" command the applicant assumes the starting position by lying flat on their
back with knees bent at forty-five (45) degrees. Feet may be together or up to twelve (12) inches
apart, resting on the ground and may be stabilized by a partner holding the ankles with the hands
only. The applicant's fingers must be interlocked behind the neck or head.
On the "Start Sit-Ups" command, the applicant begins raising the upper body to the up position
with elbow touching knees. The applicant lowers the body until the upper portion of the back
(shoulder blades) touches the mat. The head, hands, arms, and elbows don't have to touch the
ground.
The up position is the only authorized rest position. Failing to reach the up position, failing to keep
the fingers locked behind the neck or head, arching or bowing the back and raising the buttocks off
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Test Information Guide
the ground to raise the upper body, or allowing feet to leave the floor will result in incorrect
movements. Incorrect movements will not be counted.
Each applicant has sixty (60) seconds to complete twenty-five (25) sit-ups.
After a minimum twenty (20) minute rest, applicants will begin the timed 1.5 mile run.
Event 3 – 1.5 Mile Run
At the start, all applicants will be lined up behind the starting line, on a flat, level course.
Applicants are instructed to complete the 1.5 mile run and to listen to their finish time. On the
command "GO", the timing clock will be started and the applicants will begin running at their own
pace.
The Test Administrator timing the event will begin calling off the time in minutes and seconds as
the applicants approach the finish line. Each applicant's time will be recorded after they pass
through the finish line.
Do not deviate from the course. Do not touch any other applicant during the course. If you feel
faint, pain, dizziness, weakness, sustain an injury, or otherwise feel that you cannot complete the
test, immediately stop and signal for a Tester.
Each applicant must run one and one-half (1 1/2) miles within 15:28 (fifteen minutes and twentyeight seconds).
POLICE ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1. The trainee must successfully complete 480 hours of basic training at an approved academy.
2. The trainee must satisfactorily complete the law enforcement training course within the time
set forth in the statutory requirement of the Code of Alabama, Title 36-21-46. The coursework
consists of the following:
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Introduction to Law Enforcement
General Topics
Equipment
Criminal Investigations
Criminal Procedures and Laws of Evidence
Juvenile Procedures
Courts
Patrol Techniques
Traffic Operations
Offensive and Defensive Tactics
Community/News Media Relations
Firearms Training
Examinations
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3. In order to successfully complete the law enforcement training course and be certified by the
Commission, the trainee must achieve the following:
a. An overall score of not less than 70% on written exams,
b. Pass the first aid exam with a score of not less than 70% (Any retest, if necessary, shall be
administered within 72 hours),
c. Pass the legal issues exam with a score of not less than 70% (Any retest, if necessary, shall
be administered within 72 hours),
d. Pass the physical agility/ability test (Any retest, if necessary, shall be administered within
48 hours to 72 hours),
e. Pass 43 hours of firearms training and qualify two of three attempts on the firearms course. A
minimum score of seventy (70) is required to pass each attempt.
(1) If a trainee does not pass ANY of the three (3) qualification attempts then the trainee
is deemed to have failed the Academy and is barred from employment and certification as
a law enforcement officer for two years.
(2) Any trainee who passes one of the three attempts, but fails to pass twice, will be
allowed, at the written request of the employing Agency, to attend the next available
academy to re-take the forty three (43) hours of firearms training and qualification
(provided the trainee passes all other phases of the academy session and does not exceed
the statutory six (6) month provisional appointment time). If the trainee fails to pass
firearms training at this point, the trainee is deemed to have failed the Academy and is
barred from employment and certification as a law enforcement officer for two years.
f. Trainees shall not be absent more than 5% of the required training hours.
4. The trainee shall comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission.
5. The trainee in addition to complying with the Commission's rules and regulations shall comply
with all rules and regulations promulgated by the academy.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this material or the examination process,
please contact any of the individuals listed below.
Megan Krueger, MS
Assessment & Development Specialist
[email protected]
205.279.3629
Stacey Lange, PhD
Industrial Organizational Psychologist
[email protected]
205.279.3607
Marty Alber, PhD
Test Administration & Assessment Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 205.279.3595
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS
If you would like to request special testing accommodations or have any questions concerning the
test site or testing conditions, please contact Cynthia Parker at 205-279-3582 or at
[email protected].
You may complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form by following the link here:
http://www.pbjcal.org/ada.aspx
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