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Police - Professional Development

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1. Does the Concord Police Department have a preference for certified or lateral police candidates?

No. We consider certified and non-certified candidates in the same selection process. While we value law enforcement experience, a candidate’s personal qualities are the most important. We hire both certified and non-certified candidates.

2. How old do I need to be to apply to be a police officer?

Full-time police officers in New Hampshire must be at least twenty-one years old. We require candidates to meet that requirement by the application deadline.

3. Do you award veteran points or have a veteran preference?

No. We do not use a point system and do not have a veteran preference. Four years of active duty military experience is one of the ways to satisfy our minimum requirements for the police officer position.

4. Is there a residency requirement for police officers?

There is no residency requirement at all for applicants. After hire, officers must live within 50 road miles of the city line and possess a NH driver's license. This is generally enforced upon graduation from the police academy.

5. Are you flexible on the police officer minimum qualifications?

No. Candidates that do not meet at least one of the three minimum qualification categories will not be invited to participate in the process.

6. The minimum qualifications for police officer state that “A bachelor’s degree is desirable”. How does that impact the selection process?

All candidates that pass the written exam are eligible to move forward to the oral board stage. Candidates with bachelor’s degrees are interviewed before candidates without bachelor’s degrees.

7. Are you flexible on the police officer tattoo policy?

No.

8. If I fail the written exam or physical test, will there be an opportunity for a retest?

No. Our selection process is based on a “single elimination” standard. A failure at any stage means that candidate will not be allowed to continue in the process. Candidates who fail to successfully complete any stage are welcome to reapply for the next process.

9. I passed a written test and physical test for another police department. Will you accept the results in your process?

No. We conduct each phase of the selection process ourselves and do not accept any results from processes conducted by other agencies.

10. What will I be tested on in the written exam for police officer?

We use a multiple choice exam that tests for writing ability and situational judgment.

11. What is the minimum score I need to achieve on the written exam for police officer?

You must score at least a 70% to move forward in the process, but oral board interviews are granted on the basis of test score, so the higher your score, the more likely you will be interviewed in the first round of oral boards.

12. I’ve already had a background check for employment or a secret military clearance, do you still have to do a background?

Yes. Our background investigations are focused on the question of whether a candidate is suitable to be employed by the Concord Police Department. Prior investigations conducted for other purposes cannot adequately answer that question.

13. How long does the entire hiring process take?

It varies. As a general rule, the process takes between two and six months, but it could go longer. The most significant factor is a candidate’s ranking on our eligibility list. The top-ranked candidates will move forward first and will complete the process first. Lower-ranked candidates will have to wait longer.

14. How do you rank candidates for your eligibility list?

Candidates are ranked on the basis of oral board scores.

15. If I have additional questions, can I call?

Absolutely. Our hiring process is highly selective, but we want it to be as straight-forward as possible. Please call the Professional Development Unit at 603-230-3736 if you have any questions at all.

16. Do I have to take a polygraph?

 Police Officer Candidates who advance in the hiring process will need to submit to a polygraph.

17. What are your minimum qualifications for a police officer?

To be eligible for police officer testing, you will need to have 60 credits..........