APPLICATION PROCESS
WINCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICE OFFICER APPLICANT INFORMATION
The Winchester Police Department would like to thank you for your interest in becoming a member of our department. The Winchester Police Department wants to see you succeed in your goal of being selected as a member of our department. The hiring process is your first hurdle in reaching your goal of becoming a Winchester Police Officer. Below are the steps in the hiring process that an applicant must complete to be considered for employment with the Winchester Police Department.
The entire application process may take several months to finalize. As you complete each phase, you will receive notification advising you of your status and the requirements of the next process. If you have any question concerning these procedures, contact our administrative office for assistance.
STEP ONE - APPLICATION FORM
You will have to complete a City of Winchester application form. Applications may be rejected if it is not entirely filled out, regardless of your qualifications. You may supplement your application with a formal resume; however supplying a resume does not exclude you from submitting a completed application form.
STEP TWO - WRITTEN EXAMINATION
The police applicant will arrive at the Timbrook Public Safety Center on their scheduled testing date and be on time. Please be dressed in weather appropriate running/jogging attire because after you complete the written test you will be invited to participate in the Physical Agility Test.
The written examination for Police Officer is designed to measure the knowledge, ability, and aptitude that an individual must possess to be successful in the job. The written examination is utilized to determine an applicant’s eligibility to continue in the selection process.
While you are waiting to take the written test you will be asked to perform and submit to the following:
Fingerprinting and Photograph
Height and Weight
Handgun Trigger Pull
This is a timed test where the applicant has to pull the trigger 5 times with each hand.
Blood Pressure Check
Your blood pressure will be taken to ascertain if you are physically able to perform and handle taking the Physical agility test.
STEP THREE - PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
After successfully passing the written examination, you will be required to participate in a physical agility test. This test will take place immediately after the written test. There is not a time limit for completing the course, but if you fail to complete the physical agility test you can be disqualified from further consideration. The participant’s goal is to complete the course as fast as possible.
The Physical Agility Test is a course that has 11 event requirements. The total distance for the course is 140 yards. There are 5 yards between stop and start of each event. The score is based on time in seconds. For EACH mistake there will ten additional seconds added on to you final time. An officer will walk the group of participants through the agility course and explain what needs to be done at each event.
40 Yard Dash - You will start inside a Patrol Vehicle with the door closed. As soon as you open the door the timer starts and you will make a 40 yard dash to the next station.
Controlled Foot Pursuit - You will weave in and out of 10 yards of cones. This is to simulate pursuing suspects while navigating obstacles.
Barrier Jump Over - You will be required to jump over a 4″ high barrier. This is used to simulate a fence or wall that you may have to climb over.
Balance & Coordination Beam - This is used to show balance, coordination, and agility.
Ditch Jump - You will be required to make a 5 ½ foot jump over an obstacle. This is to simulate jumping over things such as ditches or streams.
Body Drag - You will be required to drag a 170 pound dummy 30 feet. This is to help simulate rescue of a follow officer or citizen.
Crawl - The applicant will have to complete a 5 yard low crawl. This is to simulate being able to move and take a safe defensive position if necessary.
1 Pull-up and Window Climb - The pull up is done to show what it would be like to look over a wall or fence. The window climb is used to show movement through different obstacles and openings.
15 Sit-ups - You will have to complete 15 sit-ups. This test is to measure the abdominal endurance. Your sit-ups will be counted by an officer.
15 Push-ups - This test is used to measure the upper body strength of an applicant. Your push-ups will be counted by an officer.
When you complete this requirement you will have to cross the finish line before the timer is stopped.
STEP FOUR - SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
You will have one week to complete and submit your supplemental application. If this is not returned by the cut off date you will be eliminated from consideration. This must be completed accurately and any false statements will result in disqualification from the application process.
STEP FIVE - POLYGRAPH
After the supplemental application is reviewed by the Deputy Chief a list will be prepared of those applicants that will move onto the polygraph phase.
The applicant will be contacted by a Polygraph Examiner to arrange a date and time for the polygraph. After the polygraph the results will be evaluated and a decision will be made if the applicant will continue to the next step in the process.
STEP SIX - ORAL INTERVIEW
Applicants who have successfully passed the evaluation process of the polygraph will be scheduled for an oral interview, an interview date and time will be scheduled depending on availability of personnel.
The oral interview panel typically consists of two or more individuals from with the Police Department and up to two civilians from City Administration. The panel will ask each applicant a set of questions are based on job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and characteristics.
STEP SEVEN - BACKGROUND
This process can take up to a minimum of four weeks and longer depending on the number of applicants.
The background investigation consists of going over your applications and questionnaire to ensure honesty and accuracy. It is important for an applicant to be honest in completing each document. Any attempt to hide or falsely make any statements on the documents may result in being disqualified from the process.
Employer and Social references are contacted and questioned on your qualifications. (It is important that all phone numbers and addresses are up-to-date on your applications. Failure to have up-to-date information may result in a delayed response or being disqualified from the process.)
Friends, family, and neighbors are contacted and questioned on your qualifications
Criminal History, Driver’s License History, Credit History, Military History, High School/GED certification, Police Certification, College Certification are all examined for authenticity.
After the background is complete a report will be submitted to the Deputy Chief. The file will then be forwarded to the Chief of Police.
The Chief of Police will then review the information that has been provided and make a recommendation to hire or not to hire and forward the file to the City Administration department for review.
Conditional Job Offer - Applicants who were recommended for hire will then be scheduled to complete a psychological and medical physical. If the psychological and physical are not completed satisfactorily the job offer will be voided.
STEP EIGHT - PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Applicants will be required to undergo a psychological evaluation.
STEP NINE - MEDICAL EXAMINIATION / DRUG SCREENING
The applicant will have to submit to a medical examination and a drug screening. The applicant will also be required to pass a color blind and a vision test.
STEP TEN - HIRE OF POLICE OFFICER
After all of the aforementioned requirements have been met, the Personnel Director will forward the recommendation to the City Manager. Once the City Manager approves the recommendation and the Deputy Chief contacts the applicant to inform them of their status.
An applicant can be terminated during any stage of this process.
