Application Assistance??

**Dispatch-D10** · 04-06-09, 12:49 AM

Hey All,

Filling out my Application and background packet for an agency. Getting to the area that asks "Why do you want to be a Police Department employee?" Sounds simple enough of course, but for some reason I always freeze on this question. I mean I dont want to put that cheesy universal answer of, "Because I want to help people." So I was wondering if you guys could give me some ideas. I Will not copy them directly of course, I just need some ideas to get me going, I will develop my own answer, thanks everyone!!

**Terminator** · 04-06-09, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dispatch-D10

Hey All,

Filling out my Application and background packet for an agency. Getting to the area that asks "Why do you want to be a Police Department employee?" Sounds simple enough of course, but for some reason I always freeze on this question. I mean I dont want to put that cheesy universal answer of, "Because I want to help people." So I was wondering if you guys could give me some ideas. I Will not copy them directly of course, I just need some ideas to get me going, I will develop my own answer, thanks everyone!!

You need to tell them why you want to be one. We cannot answer that for you.

**sgtbear111** · 04-06-09, 01:11 AM

As Term said.

I will add this: stand in front of a mirror and ask the question out loud to the face in the mirror. The answer will come from within.

**MacLean** · 04-06-09, 01:35 AM

Agreed. We can't answer this one for you.

**BigDawg** · 04-06-09, 04:02 PM

Why are you applying with the Department??? If you yourself cant honestly answer that you probably wont go far in the process. Dont put down what you think they want to hear, tell them honestly why you want to join them.

**jmur5074** · 04-06-09, 04:35 PM

Well, everyone else has already said it; but this is one that you definitely have to answer yourself. I don't know why you want to get into law enforcement, only you do.

**pac201** · 04-06-09, 04:41 PM

I want to carry a gun and drive fast...

**2 Blue 4 U** · 04-06-09, 09:51 PM

No one can tell you that, it should come from with in. Sit and think for a few minutes, take a piece of paper and list the reasons why you applied for the job and what you think of the job. Don't over think it and answers should come naturally. Good Luck!

**Kimble** · 04-06-09, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by sgtbear111

I will add this: stand in front of a mirror and ask the question out loud to the face in the mirror.

If you do this, video record it and post the video on this site so the rest of us can laugh at you talking to yourself in the mirror.

**Dispatch-D10** · 04-07-09, 02:01 PM

2 Blu 4 U, thank you very much, this technique worked wonders for me. Thank you for the excellent advice.

**Billy Mack** · 04-08-09, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by BigDawg

Why are you applying with the Department??? If you yourself cant honestly answer that you probably wont go far in the process. Dont put down what you think they want to hear, tell them honestly why you want to join them.

I think that's a really good point. An honest answer may affect your ability to be hired at a certain agency, but then again that probably wouldn't be a place that you'd want to work.

I knew a guy who was a lieutenant in another agency. If you said, "I want to help people," and that's it, you're application process just stopped. They want street cops that wanted to go out and lock people up.

In some places, they would look at you like you were crazy if you said you wanted to go lock up bad guys during an interview.

**Hannibal** · 04-08-09, 09:06 PM

.... I want to help people, but I am not smart enough to be a doctor; I am, however, smarter than a firefighter. So, it seems like the logical choice.

Seriously, Term said it best. You just have to answer that question from the heart. If you can't, maybe you need to ask YOURSELF some questions about your chosen profession.

**Dispatch-D10** · 04-09-09, 11:04 PM

Hey All,

I wanted to thank you all for replying to this post. I guess maybe I worded my request wrong. I was just looking for ideas and was not wanting to have you guys answer the question for me. Nevertheless, I got it answered and made it through and took my polygraph today and passed everything. Now, I am only waiting on a phone call with the verdict! So again, thank you all and I am sorry if I worded the question wrong.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 04-10-09, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dispatch-D10

2 Blu 4 U, thank you very much, this technique worked wonders for me. Thank you for the excellent advice.

You're Welcome, some people do well on tests, some don't. Same goes for interviews, some freeze up, some talk to much and others do just fine.

Glad you passed everything Dispatch, Good Luck!