I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Los Gatos Police Department (Los Gatos, CA) in May 2022
Interview
After the initial application, I had to fill out an online pre-screener questionnaire. Then I received a short curt phone call from the recruiter, followed by an invitation for a Zoom oral panel interview consisting of 3 panel members and a moderator. I didn't have a choice of interview day, and I only had 2 choices in time 30 min apart. The Zoom interview included 10 questions as well as an optional closing statement that I was given 30 min to answer. None of the interviewers were dispatchers, which I think says a lot about who this workplace doesn't value. There were more nuances that I noticed which reflected poorly on the Los Gatos Police Department as well so keep your eyes and ears open to what you might be getting yourself into.
As a reminder to those interested in the position, it's important for you to ask your potential colleagues why they are so short-staffed. Ask why they don't offer a sit-along right away either so you can actually see the environment you'll be getting yourself into -- the healthy places don't block you here. Remember that interviews go both ways, and so does respect. Each city has their own variations on the interview and some treat the candidates with much more respect while still being able to skillfully and playfully complete their job roles, and that translates to how they will respect your boundaries as well as potential toxicity in the workplace. They are working off the fallacy that the messed up way they choose to treat you and the way you choose to respond to them will show how you'll respond to callers in stressful situations. The reality is different, as anyone with actual work experience would know, and this is why healthy people choose to work elsewhere.
Interview questions [7]
Question 1
Tell me about yourself (and how your work experiences are relevant to the position).