Chris A. Davis Interview

[20:35] Nicholas Philly pulls out some papers and would open his notebook to a new page before starting "So Mr. Davis we're here this evening for your interview for the Position of Officer with the Cedar Creek Police Department, This interview will be recorded for review by the hiring board should the recommendation to hire be made. Do you agree to have this conversation recorded for that purpose?"
[20:35] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder) nods "Yes, sir, that's completely fine."
[20:38] Nicholas Philly clicks his pen a few times "Why do you want to work in Law Enforcement?"
[20:40] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder) I'd clear my throat before answering. "Well sir, to me, it's always been a calling. Ever since I was young, I couldn't ever think to find myself in any other career. I love just about everything about the job, from the team environment, to the community interaction, and knowing that the work being done genuinely makes a difference in the lives of the people that you serve. It's in my opinion, the most rewarding career out there, and I think it's rare in the sense that when you leave to go home at the end of the day, you really have done something that matters."
[20:42] Nicholas Philly nods taking a few notes "So Mr. Davis tell me a little about yourself."
[20:46] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder): "Sure thing sir. I grew up with my younger brother James back in Texas. We were always pretty close growing up, I did my best to keep him out of trouble, so naturally we had quite the bond as we got older. After I finished high school, I enlisted in the Marine Corps. Did four years in, including a deployment to Afghanistan. After I got out, James and I got a place together. He and I both had quite the interest in law enforcement growing up, so we both ended up working for a few different law enforcement agencies before we came to Cedar Creek. I consider myself to be pretty passionate about what I do. I think I'm drawn towards law enforcement for the same reasons I went into the military, the fact that it's not your typical everyday nine to five job, and that I believe in the work that we do. I really do want to make the world a better place during my time on it. I love working in structured environments with a clear goal in mind and people I can rely on."
[20:47] Nicholas Philly nods writing a few more things in his notebook "alright so have you ever used medications or drugs that were not prescribed to you by a doctor or used them in a manner in which they were not prescribed, including use of any recreational drugs?"
[20:48] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder): "No sir, managed to stay away from all that growing up, never was my scene."
[20:50] Nicholas Philly nods "good so how would your friends describe you if I was to speak to them?"
[20:51] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder) I'd pause for a moment before answering. "Well sir, I'd think they'd describe me as a hard worker first and foremost. Whenever I do something, I put my heart into it and give it my all, because I know people are relying on me to get things done. They'd also probably tell you I'm a bit of a comedian", I'd pause and smirk a little, "but I know when it's time to stuff that away and focus on my work."
[20:53] Nicholas Philly nods "alright tell me about something in your life that you would consider to be your greatest failure or regret, what you did about it, and how you learned from it."
[20:58] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder) I'd take a moment to think before answering. "I'd say my biggest regret in life was when I was back working with my brother James. We were working as Sheriff's Deputies for another county and due to some staffing changes, an opportunity came up for a Sergeant position. I hadn't seriously considering going for the position at the time because I felt it was a bit out of my comfort zone. I didn't feel at the time I was ready for the pressures of leadership. I missed out on that chance to get the position because of my lack of confidence in my abilities and self-doubt. Later however, an opportunity opened up again, albeit quite a while after, and I did end up going for the position. I ended up receiving the promotion and found out that I actually enjoyed the position quite a bit, and that my worries about pressure and the responsibilities were being over exaggerated by myself.  In the end, I learned that when opportunities open up, I should go for them, and that by getting out of my comfort zone and
[20:58] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder):  embracing new positions, I may find things about myself I wasn't aware of, and further develop myself in my professional and personal skills as a result."
[20:59] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder): "I definitely regretted not going for the position initially, but it turned out to be quite a teaching moment for me in the long run."
[21:01] Nicholas Philly nods his head a bit before clicking his pen a few times and writing a few notes "So your out on patrol and you decide to stop at the local market, while inside you see a family member put an item they have not paid for into their pocket, what do you do?"
[21:04] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder): "Definitely the first thing I would do is stop and confront them about it. I'd ask why they were putting it into their pocket. I'd make it clear to them that shoplifting is illegal, and that family or not, I do have a duty as an officer if they attempt to steal. However, if I found out it was due to financial hardships, I would most likely offer to pay for the item for them if they truly cannot afford it, and give them a stern warning that regardless of their personal situation, a crime is a crime, and if I, or any other officer see it happen again, it's going to be a different outcome. I wouldn't want to place a family member under arrest, but as an officer, I'd be taking an oath and I am not one to treat it lightly."
[21:06] Nicholas Philly writes a few more notes "alright so how would you react if you knew a fellow officer was committing a crime?"
[21:08] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder) I'd clear my throat. "Well sir, as I said, when you become an officer, you take an oath, and I take that oath seriously. Police officers are held to a standard that is higher than that of the average member of the public, and due to the power that we hold, accountability and integrity are essential values that need to be upheld. My actions would be dependent on what that crime is, but if that crime is serious enough to merit an arrest, I would have no choice but to take it up with my chain of command or internal affairs."
[21:09] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder): "It is not something I would seek pleasure in doing, but due to the standards and core values that law enforcement exemplify, it definitely cannot be ignored."
[21:12] Nicholas Philly writes some notes and continues "on the application we asked you what is the most powerful item in an Officers arsenal, you answered voice. Can you explain this answer?"
[21:16] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder) nods. "Of course, sir. The reason I chose voice, is because I believe that just by using your voice, an officer can prevent a situation from further escalating into a situation that requires use of force options, and sometimes resolve a situation completely. Voice is the first step into gaining compliance, whether it be ordering someone to drop a weapon or talking down a suicidal person. It can be used to change someone's behaviour for the better, such as a verbal warning on a traffic stop, and at the end of the day is the first thing you bring into a situation when you arrive on scene. If you can talk someone into ceasing an activity, you can prevent an arrest from having to be made entirely at times, and when things start to get bad, verbal de-escalation is fundamental in bringing peaceful resolutions to dangerous situations. With that in mind, that brings me to the conclusion that voice is the most powerful item in an officer's arsenal."
[21:18] Nicholas Philly writes a few more notes down "okay typically there would be a few more questions but honestly your application was impressive and left me with no questions really so the final question I have for you is simply, why should I hire you?"
[21:23] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder): "Thank you sir. To answer your final question, I believe you should hire me because of my passion, drive, and commitment to the job. Law enforcement has always been my chosen path, and as a result, I have invested myself into it a hundred percent. I'm a hard worker, I'm dependable, and I love working in the team environments. I enjoy being a partner in the community, and the township of Cedar Creek seems to offer an experience where we get to be an essential part of that community where every action we do makes a difference. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, and I believe I'd fit in well with the structured and organized department which you have here, which is a reason in itself I was so drawn to it. I want to be out there, making a difference and being a visible presence in the community, making it safer for all who reside in it. I hold what I believe to be the core values of law enforcement deep in my heart. Respect, professionalism, accountability, integrity, and a strong work ethic, and as
[21:23] Chris A. Davis (EMSFirstResponder):  a result, I feel that I would be a perfect fit for the team here, if I am given the opportunity to become part of it."
[21:26] Nicholas Philly writes a few things down and closes his notepad he would stand and extend his hand to Chris "alright Mr. Davis thank you for taking the time to come in and speak to us today we'll get back to you once the review board looks over the information I submit tonight."