SCOTTISH POLICE OFFICER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Sample practice interview questions and answers proven to help you pass your Scottish police interview first time.
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SCOTTISH POLICE Officer INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Hello, and welcome to Scottish Police Interview Questions and Answers, the most comprehensive guide to the Scottish Police interview section available! In this guide, we’re going to give you a detailed run through of exactly what the Scottish Police Interview involves, and how to ace it. Using FIFTY sample questions and answers, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive chance to practise every single type of question that you could face in the interview.
Police Scotland: An Introduction
Police Scotland, or The Police Service of Scotland (to go by its formal title) is a fairly new organisation, having been only formally established in 2013. Today, it is the second largest police service in the UK, with the Met Police being the biggest. At the top of the Police Scotland hierarchy is the Chief Constable, and this rank is closely followed by a Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constables. The Police Scotland HQ is based in Fife, the same location as the Scottish Police College, where police training is held.
Police Scotland also has a number of specialist units, such as counter terrorism, major crime investigation, air support and canine training. Every year, Police Scotland publishes what is known as an Annual Police Plan, to ensure that they are delivering the best possible level of service to the Scottish Public. In this plan, the service outlines their yearly aims, strategies and priorities, for safeguarding the Scottish public.
THE COMPETENCIES & VALUES FRAMEWORK (CVF) CLUSTERS FOR POLICE SCOTLAND
RESOLUTE, COMPASSIONATE & COMMITTED
This cluster focuses on two of the competencies: We are Emotionally Aware’ and ‘We Take Ownership’
- We are Emotionally Aware as an overview, focuses on how we can adapt to the needs of others when dealing with issues and members of the community. We are able to recognise the needs of others by listening and using these to assist us in making the correct decisions. This will also allow us to remain calm and be able to provide the correct level of service in stressful and difficult circumstances.
- We Take Ownership shows that we are accountable for our actions and the decisions that we make. We are happy to receive feedback and will pro-actively seek this from others, so we can learn and improve moving forward. This also relates to assisting to solve problems even if this does not affect us.
INCLUSIVE, ENABLING AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
This cluster refers to the competencies of We are Collaborative and We Deliver, Support and Inspire.
We are Collaborative relates to working with colleagues, external stakeholders and members of the community. The goal is to build long lasting collaborative relationships to ensure all that we do benefits the community as a whole and not just the organisation. Engagement and collaboration with third parties seeks to provide joint solutions and also share information, so new and innovative of providing services to the communities.
We Deliver, Support and Inspire this closely relates to providing an efficient and transparent service to the public. We have a complete understanding of our organisations vision and actively promote this in our daily activities. We show complete commitment to provide services which are in the best interest of the community and external stakeholders.
INTELLIGENT, CREATIVE AND INFORMED POLICING
This cluster includes the competencies of We Analyse Critically and We are Innovative and Open-Minded.
We Analyse Critically ensures that we analyse all data, information and views combining these to assemble the best evidence possible. We use this for multiple purposes; for criminal investigation and to also understand the root causes of issues within the community.
We are Innovative and Open Minded relates to our personal nature that we should be inquisitive on what is around us and use this to understand how things work and be able to devise innovative solutions to problems. We strive to understand how our performance affects the wider community as part of a team ans as an individual and will seek ways to improve this for continuous improvement.
Sample Police Officer Interview Questions
Q. “Please provide an example of where you have worked as part of a team to achieve a difficult task.”
Tips for Structuring Your Response:
TIP 1: Try to think of a situation where you volunteered to work with a team in order to achieve a difficult task. It is better to say that you volunteered as opposed to being asked to get involved by another person.
TIP 2: Candidates who can provide an example when they achieved the task, despite the constraints of time will generally score higher.’
Sample Response Structure:
STEP
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STEP
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STEP
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STEP
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Explain what the result/outcome was. Try to make the result positive as a result of your actions.
Now explain what had to be done and how you overcame any obstacles or hurdles.
Explain how it was decided who would carry out what task.
Explain why the task was difficult and whether there were any time constraints.
Now explain who else was involved and what the task was.
Explain what the situation was and how you became involved.
Motivations and Value Questions
Along with the competency-based questions, you also need to be prepared to answer what are known as ‘motivations and values’ questions. These are essentially questions which focus on your reasons for joining Police Scotland. It’s extremely important for Police Scotland to establish that you are applying for the right reasons. They don’t want candidates who are joining the police just so they can ride around in a car with blue flashing lights, or because they want to impress their friends. They want candidates who are joining because they want to make a difference to the community, and safeguard the public.
You are most likely to encounter these types of questions during your application form, however it’s not unusual for them to appear during the interview too, so be prepared!
Sample Competency Questions
Now, let’s look at some sample competency questions. For the purpose of this page, we’ve provided you with 2 sample questions and a brief description of how to answer each one. Within our guide you will find many more questions just like these, plus full and in-depth responses!
Q1. Can you give me an example of a time when you have utilised your job knowledge, to resolve a difficult situation?
Job knowledge is a really important part of working as a police officer. The better you understand the core requirements of your role, and how they fit into Police Scotland’s wider objectives, the better you will be able to act as an exemplary representative of the police service. Police Scotland don’t just want a candidate who goes through the motions with their job, they are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and committed, and who has made a conscious effort to understand every single element of the role. When answering this question, think about the following:
- What was the situation? What needed to be resolved?
- What would have been the consequences if you had not intervened?
- What did you say/do? How did you utilise your job knowledge?
- What was the end result of this?
Q2. Can you give me an example of a time when you have worked with a colleague, to help improve their performance?
This question is asking you to demonstrate the competency of ‘working with others’. It’s important that police officers can work constructively together, to achieve organisational goals. Part of being a good co-worker is helping your colleagues when possible, to improve their own methods, and become more valuable members of the police service. When answering this question, think about the following:
- What was the situation? Did you approach your colleague, or did they approach you?
- What steps did you take to help them improve?
- Did you need to overcome any obstacles, or change your initial plan?
- How did your colleague respond to your help?
- What was the outcome?
Sample Motivations and Values Questions
Now, let’s look at some sample motivational and values questions. For the purpose of this page, we’ve provided you with 2 sample questions and a brief description of how to answer each one. Within our guide you will find many more questions just like these, plus full and in-depth responses!
Q1. Tell us about why you want to become a police officer.
This is an incredibly common opening question, and it would be a huge surprise if you didn’t hear this during your interview. The best response here, is to be honest! Think about the reasons for why you want to become a police officer. What has motivated you to apply? What is it about the police service that inspires you? Take a look at the goals and aims of Police Scotland on their website. Do you share these goals?
Q2. Tell me about yourself and what qualities you believe you have, that will be relevant to the role of a police officer.
This is another very common question. Remember, the purpose of this interview is to help Police Scotland find out more about who you are, and why you would be a great police officer. So, it’s not unusual for them to just ask you this outright!
Once again, your best response is to be honest in this situation. Think about what makes you a good fit for the role? What are your best qualities? How would they be of use to Police Scotland?
A word of caution when answering this, read the question! It’s pretty easy here to go off on a tangent and reel off a big list of qualities that actually have nothing to do with the police service. Remember, you need to keep it relevant, and link your qualities back to what the police are looking for.
Scottish Police interview questions & answers
Let us teach you how to answer competency-based interview questions in order to gain very high marks for the assessment centre interview and. This comprehensive guide is packed full of tough interview questions and answers that cover ALL of the competencies and values from the CVF. Written by a former serving Officer who has 17 years in the job and includes actual sample police officer interview questions.
Using our guide, you are guaranteed to better your chances of passing the Police Scotland interview! There’s no better resource available for aspiring officers. So, download your copy of the Scottish Police Interview guide TODAY!
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS INTERVIEW RESOURCE INCLUDE:
1. THE POLICE SCOTLAND COMPETENCIES AND VALUES
- An in-depth explanation on each of the competencies;
- What you need to say in order to demonstrate that you have these competencies;
- Sample police interview scoring criteria.
- Which competencies can be used in combination with each other;
- Why the competencies are important to Police Scotland.
2. HOw to answer competency-based questions
- An extensive overview of how to demonstrate every single competency;
- How to avoid making critical interview mistakes;
- The importance of structuring your responses concisely and logically;
- Sample questions and how to answer them successfully.
3. THE poLICE scotland INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Crucial information on both interview stages;
- Competency questions which cover every single element;
- How to structure your responses in order to maximise your potential;
- How to focus on your individual success in order to achieve the desired results.
PASS THE SCOTTISH POLICE INTERVIEWS WITH EASE…
- Sample interview questions & answers to help you get ready for the police assessment interview.
- Updated to include questions and answers for the 2025 assessment process interview.
- Advice and tips included that have been written by a former member of the emergency services.
- Both competency and values based questions included.
- Expert advice on how you can draft your own winning responses to ace your interview.
Pass the Scottish Police Interview First time.
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- Lots of sample interview questions to help you get ready for your police assessment interview.
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- Advice and tips included that have been written by a former member of the emergency services.
- Written in conjunction with currently serving police officers.
- Up-to-date for 2025 and includes the Police Scotland assessment interview.
- How to match the police values and competencies in your responses.
- The competences and values framework broken down and explained
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