www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ FEBRUARY 2015
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What are examples of NJ Civil Service
test questions?
The following are the primary areas recently tested by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission for
police, sheriffs and corrections exams:
• Tactical Situation:The Tactical Situations have
included a number of scenarios that required
immediate action. Situations such as escaped
prisoners, disturbances, pursuits, high-risk
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missing persons and shootings have recently
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appeared on exams. In these situations you are
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either observing the actual incident, have been
notified by someone that it is occurring now, or
it has recently occurred.
• The Flagrant Violation: This scenario depicts an employee
committing a serious infraction of rules and procedures that
may require immediate supervisory or even legal action. The
possible violations may include, but not necessarily be limited
to: excessive use of force, sleeping on the job, theft from the
scene of a burglary, use of intoxicants while on duty, or
violation of a rule.
• The Troubled Employee: This scenario depicts an employee
who is or has been a good performer, but recently he/she has
shown a decline in productivity, general appearance, and attitude. The specific problem may or may not be identified, but
it is clear that something inside or outside the work environment is affecting his/her performance.
• Complaint Investigation (Citizen or Employee): The scenario
in this situation usually involves a complaining citizen or
employee. It typically takes place at headquarters. In the scenario, someone is upset about something (e.g. rude behavior,
improper search, harassment, etc.).
• Crime Problem:The crime problem usually involves a citizen
or superior. One or both have come to you with their concerns.
Prior scenarios have involved citizen groups, politicians, superior officers and business people. Some type of crime is up, and
they are concerned, upset and afraid.
• Legal Issues: Every exam has scenarios that involve legal
issues. The legal issues tested are typically the ones that occur
on the job with a high degree of frequency (e.g. theft, assault,
etc.). Other legal issues typically tested involve search and
seizure situations. These will appear on almost every exam.
Finally, it’s so important in the New Jersey Civil Service Commission test questions to properly assess the situations, and then take
the most appropriate management action. Those who properly
prepare in advance for these situations will always get the highest
scores. d
To submit questions, email Dr. Bernstein at drbernstein@bernsteintestprep.com. For more information, visit www.BernsteinTestPrep.com or call 1-800-272-5353.