PD Recruiting FAQ

Do I have to live in the City of Norman to be eligible for employment with the Norman Police Department?

No. Employee's may live outside the City of Norman but are held accountable for reporting to duty as scheduled. However, an employee's residential proximity to the Police Department may limit their selection or appointment to teams, units, or training disciplines.  

How can I get an application?

Visit www.newnormancops.com to download the Employment Application Bundle, Personal History Statement and the other documents related to our recruitment process. You must download the forms and fill them out completely and return them to the Human Resources Department no later than the indicated date.  Doing so will ensure that you have secured a seat for testing! Also, be sure that you send all of the documents that are requested in the PHS document (i.e. college and high school transcripts, certified or original birth certificate , and Form DD-214, if it applies to you). These documents must be certified copies or originals, not just Xerox copies. We ask that you provide original or certified transcripts not copies of your diplomas. You may need to request these documents from the school or agency, so do this as soon as possible. At the end of the process, you can request these documents be returned to you.

What do I do if I don’t have my transcripts, birth certificate or Form DD-214 by the day of the testing?

Write a statement and place it with your PHS document stating that you have requested these items and will provide them to the City of Norman Human Resources Department upon receipt of the documents from the agency or school you have requested them from. It is in your best interest to request these documents as early as possible, so that you can get them turned in ASAP. If the City of Norman does not have these documents at the time that the background investigation process begins, you could be eliminated from the process.

What do I need to bring with me to the test?

Bring with you a current driver’s license in order to check in to the test. You may want to bring water and snacks as the testing day can last several hours.

What is involved in the Physical Ability Test?

The test requires you to demonstrate your ability to perform police department work-related tasks.  The standards are universal. There is no deviation in regard to gender, age, or weight. The listed times or repetitions are the minimums that must be achieved by each applicant. All of the tasks must be satisfactorily completed. The tasks include:

• 1.5 Mile Run                             Maximum Time Allowed:  15 minutes 20 seconds
• Sit Ups in One Minute                Minimum Repetitions:      27
• Push Ups in One Minute             Minimum Repetitions:      18
• 300 Meter Run                          Maximum Time Allowed:   68 seconds

How can I best prepare for the Physical Ability Test?

A suggested workout schedule is included in each application packet. It is not a requirement that future candidates use this schedule, however it closely mirrors the regimen used during the first few weeks of the academy.

What does the written test include?

The written test currently being used by the Norman Police Department is I/O Solution's National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI). The NCJOSI™ was designed specifically to predict success for criminal justice positions and to be in strict compliance with all federal, state and local testing guidelines and regulations. The NCJOSI™ helps agencies select officers who will be successful working in departments that are either now using, or are moving toward, a community-oriented approach to public safety. This new criminal justice philosophy requires that officers be both smarter and able to work with a diverse and demanding community. The NCJOSI™ was designed to provide more than just the traditional measures found in most police officer selection tests and includes both a cognitive (i.e., problem-solving) and an attitude/behavioral-orientation (i.e., criminal justice officer orientation) component.

How can I best prepare for the written test?

A study guide may or not be made available – for a reasonable expense – by the department. However, several commonsense tips apply both before the test and on the day of the test. First, prior to the day of the test you should avoid junk food and concentrate on a well balance diet for at least several days before the test. You should also avoid tranquilizers and stimulants, such as coffee, especially on the day of the test. Be sure you get a good night’s sleep before the test. You should not drink a lot of liquids or eat a big meal before the test. And finally, you should avoid alcohol several days prior to and especially on the day of the test. Second, on the day of the test, you should arrive early and try to relax. You should listen carefully to the test administrator’s instructions for each section of the test – it is extremely important that you completely understand the directions before a section begins. You should attempt to answer every question; there is no penalty for guessing since your score is based on the total number of correct answers. Finally, balance the amount of time you spend on each question and pace yourself while working through the test.

If I do not pass the written or physical agility test, when can I re-test?

You can re-test after six (6) months.

Do I have to have 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university? Or, will the department accept a combination of college and experience? And, does military service fulfill some or all of this requirement?

Applicants must possess a High School Diploma or GED, plus sixty (60) college credit hours from an accredited college or university.  The department will waive thirty (30) hours of the college requirement if you have: (1) Three years of active duty military service with nothing less than an honorable discharge; or (2) Two years prior law enforcement experience.  

When do I need to turn in my college transcript(s)?

You need to turn in your official college transcripts with your employment application bundle, which is due prior to testing.  If you do not have all of the required documents when you turn in your the employment application bundle, include a separate statement in your Personal History Statement indicating that you have requested the documents and will deliver them to City of Norman Human Resources as soon as they are received.  A deadline for the documents is indicated in the employment application bundle.

If I am already certified by CLEET, or capable of receiving reciprocal certification from my training in another state, do I still have to attend your academy?

Yes. All new employees competing for a commissioned police officer position are required to attend our 24-week academy, but they also receive their full starting salary and benefits. The expectations of our community require that this initial training be designed to exceed the minimum requirements under state law and prepare each officer to deliver the highest quality of police service once they are on their own.

What part of my history can disqualify me from consideration as a police officer?

Title 18 of the US Code describes the many instances where a person is ineligible to carry a gun and, because of this, is unable to be commissioned with our department. Titles 50 and 70 of Oklahoma Statutes describe the requirements for acceptance into the Oklahoma Police Pension & Retirement System and for certification as a police officer by CLEET.

If I am hired, when does the Police Academy start?

The projected start date for the 51st Norman Police Academy is October 4. 2013.  

If I have more questions, whom can I contact?

For further information, call a Police Recruiter at (405) 366-5222, Ext. 3 or email at police.recruiting@NormanOK.gov