PSNI Recruitment - Stage 2 - The Assessment Centre

Homer01 · 21-09-2017 4:31pm

Honestly, time spent going though this whole thread would be time well spent.

We are not permitted to discuss details but there will be role plays and some written exercises. They give you more info after you pass IST.

DonutSquad · 21-09-2017 4:46pm

Thanks Homer, I probably should have just gotten off my arse and got reading anyway! Haha.

Razor3677 · 21-09-2017 4:55pm

Am I right in thinking the PSNI AC is different from mainland forces ? Just checking as all online information, apart from here seems to be tailored towards these forces.

NiK9 · 21-09-2017 6:39pm

Razor3677 wrote: »

Am I right in thinking the PSNI AC is different from mainland forces ? Just checking as all online information, apart from here seems to be tailored towards these forces.

The PSNI one consists of role plays and then usually a written part.

This is part I'm most worried about too as I've failed past 2 times at A.C.

Homer01 · 21-09-2017 9:01pm

Razor3677 wrote: »

Am I right in thinking the PSNI AC is different from mainland forces ? Just checking as all online information, apart from here seems to be tailored towards these forces.

Same basic competencies and behaviours but yes different to mainland.
It used to be similar but changed a number of years ago. Big difference is no interview.

Be very careful with any books or courses offering PSNI recruitment coaching. They are usually the same as English forces but with PSNI pasted in place.

Homer01 · 22-09-2017 4:18pm

DonutSquad wrote: »

Thanks Homer, I probably should have just gotten off my arse and got reading anyway! Haha.

Hope I didn't come across as rude but you will find loads of info. Same with PCA and other threads.

Maybe not as far back as 2008, start around 2013

DonutSquad · 22-09-2017 4:59pm

Not at all Homer, appreciate any and all input. Definitely think it'll be worth me jumping into the middle as you suggest though. I read the first 15 pages this morning and realised it'd take me about a fortnight to get through the whole lot! Haha.

Banterbus28 · 22-09-2017 11:02pm

Having gone through the process before using both i'd bin them and find a tutor.

NiK9 · 22-09-2017 11:06pm

Banterbus28 wrote: »

Having gone through the process before using both i'd bin them and find a tutor.

I just though it would help with the a.c. role plays. I've got through to it twice and never got by that stage unfortunately. So want as much helo as possible lol

Banterbus28 · 22-09-2017 11:09pm

If you know anybpdy currently in the police they'll be the best to help you there because you know and I know what those roleplays are like.

KN1231999 · 12-01-2018 2:50pm

Time to tackle this together boys

the_accountant · 12-01-2018 5:25pm

What approach to prep do the experienced guys on here recommend? It’s 8 years since I last attempted (and failed) the AC and I’m bricking it.

takodah · 12-01-2018 8:26pm

KN1231999 wrote: »

Time to tackle this together boys

And girls *. Will be good to get it over early

mrlovalova22 · 12-01-2018 8:56pm

the_accountant wrote: »

What approach to prep do the experienced guys on here recommend? It’s 8 years since I last attempted (and failed) the AC and I’m bricking it.

See to be honest they are providing a lot of info on the email for us to work on,

Accountability, courtesy...... and so on, that's almost your targets for that day, aslong you do a good bit of research on the behaviours they are looking from us, and how you can then show them on the day your strengths.

There are lots of video's on YouTube with ex cops giving you examples of certain role plays, so look them up aswell.

KN1231999 · 13-01-2018 5:24pm

takodah wrote: »

KN1231999 wrote: »

Time to tackle this together boys

And girls *. Will be good to get it over early

Yep, shouldn't be too long till we're sitting waiting on AC results then!

slimmboyfat · 15-01-2018 9:22am

Hi ,

Can anyone recommend any potential AC tutors?
Thanks

sparkylarky · 16-01-2018 3:39pm

Does anybody know if we can take note books into the AC role plays and take down notes during it?

KN1231999 · 16-01-2018 3:43pm

sparkylarky wrote: »

Does anybody know if we can take note books into the AC role plays and take down notes during it?

I would like to know this too

shanevendrell · 16-01-2018 5:18pm

You're provided with a work book on the day and believe me you won't have one second spare to write any notes. The whole thing moves with military precision.

One bit of advice though when you get back to the car when it's over write down EVERYTHING you can remember from the experience. I was lucky to pass first time but these notes will be so valuable for those who don't pass as you'll be able to compare them against Deloittes feedback when the results come out.

sparkylarky · 16-01-2018 5:45pm

shanevendrell wrote: »

You're provided with a work book on the day and believe me you won't have one second spare to write any notes. The whole thing moves with military precision.

One bit of advice though when you get back to the car when it's over write down EVERYTHING you can remember from the experience. I was lucky to pass first time but these notes will be so valuable for those who don't pass as you'll be able to compare them against Deloittes feedback when the results come out.

Great advice thanks! Does the note books they provide you with does delloitte take them back and use them for marking your score as well or are they just to help us with no effect on the score? Is there negative marking in the AC as well?

shanevendrell · 16-01-2018 6:04pm

From what I can remember baring in mind it was 2 years ago now since I done mines, is that all notes you take are included in the work booklet however so is your final written summary (someone can correct me if i've remembered that wrong) so yeah all paperwork is left behind.

And from memory there is nothing you could be negatively marked on so that's not an issue.

jwhdkl5736 · 16-01-2018 9:22pm

sparkylarky wrote: »

Great advice thanks! Does the note books they provide you with does delloitte take them back and use them for marking your score as well or are they just to help us with no effect on the score? Is there negative marking in the AC as well?

Are your plans marked AFAIK? But your actual notes aren't that you take.

NiK9 · 16-01-2018 10:19pm

KN1231999 wrote: »

sparkylarky wrote: »

Does anybody know if we can take note books into the AC role plays and take down notes during it?

I would like to know this too

No they have paper for you to make rough notes. Which also has to be handed in at the end of the AC.

TW2017 · 18-01-2018 9:02pm

Does the IST re-sit affect your score or is it purely for validation purposes?

TW2017 · 18-01-2018 9:08pm

TW2017 wrote: »

Does the IST re-sit affect your score or is it purely for validation purposes?

This was answered in the recruitment 2017 thread, sorry

takodah · 19-01-2018 9:51am

I’m going to put this out here. It’s 2018 10 years since the first AC posts on this thread. Instead of reading though 300+ pages espixaly for those who are new why don’t we bump this thread. So that people know when you ask a question you can say “go to page ...” rather than “it’s posted before in this thread.

I have seen lots of advice on acronyms and using the psni values etc in the AC. for those who know all this can we bump this thread and start now from tbis page?

Just a thought,
Don’t hate the player, hate the game lol.

The last 7 pages of this is mostly people talking about their scores, freedom of info requests etc and no real
AC tips.

roboturnip · 25-01-2018 12:23pm

AC coming up soon, and the nerves are kicking in. Done it twice before, think that makes it worse ðŸ˜‚

Just want it over and done with!

majgreen · 25-01-2018 6:41pm

takodah wrote: »

I’m going to put this out here. It’s 2018 10 years since the first AC posts on this thread. Instead of reading though 300+ pages espixaly for those who are new why don’t we bump this thread. So that people know when you ask a question you can say “go to page ...” rather than “it’s posted before in this thread.

I have seen lots of advice on acronyms and using the psni values etc in the AC. for those who know all this can we bump this thread and start now from tbis page?

Just a thought,
Don’t hate the player, hate the game lol.

The last 7 pages of this is mostly people talking about their scores, freedom of info requests etc and no real
AC tips.

In fairness, the AC doesnt change THAT much. Yes, the scenario is different, but the skills they are looking for are all the same. Everything posted here is still relevant, it'll just take a bit more hunting to find it.

Koph89 · 28-02-2018 2:44pm

HI all,
Just a general AC query - how do people find the timing of certain parts of the day? Do they feel they had too much time for one task and not enough for others? I know the role-plays are 5 mins each? but not sure how much time they give you for other parts like Action Plans and Report Writing. Do they give you a warning or anything to say "you've got 30 secs to finish up"?
Also, is there anywhere to leave handbags etc. on the day?
Thanks so much

mrlovalova22 · 28-02-2018 3:34pm

Koph89 wrote: »

HI all,
Just a general AC query - how do people find the timing of certain parts of the day? Do they feel they had too much time for one task and not enough for others? I know the role-plays are 5 mins each? but not sure how much time they give you for other parts like Action Plans and Report Writing. Do they give you a warning or anything to say "you've got 30 secs to finish up"?
Also, is there anywhere to leave handbags etc. on the day?
Thanks so much

Everything will be explained in detail over and over and OVER again on the day of your assessment so do you not be stressing, unfortunately we cannot say anything more than that, but yes you have a place to leave your handbag lol

Koph89 · 28-02-2018 3:57pm

lol thanks mrlovalova22

didn't want to pry too much but glad to hear they go over things a lot haha

Koph89 · 10-03-2018 6:37pm

Survived the AC - just about!
Have a general query about the AC centre - does anyone know if certain parts of the AC are weighed more than others or what way do Deloitte assess it?
Like most people, I feel I was stronger on some parts and weaker on others...Just wondering how it's all weighed if anyone has any general insight?
Thanks

Homer01 · 10-03-2018 6:51pm

Koph89 wrote: »

Survived the AC - just about!
Have a general query about the AC centre - does anyone know if certain parts of the AC are weighed more than others or what way do Deloitte assess it?
Like most people, I feel I was stronger on some parts and weaker on others...Just wondering how it's all weighed if anyone has any general insight?
Thanks

Different bits get different marks. For example a role play would have more available marks than another bit. It is very possible to mess one bit up, do really well in another and get a good pass.

Best of luck!!

Koph89 · 10-03-2018 7:00pm

Thank you Homer!
So hard to know what way it went... arghhhh now the waiting game...
Thanks for your insight :)

majgreen · 10-03-2018 7:32pm

Koph89 wrote: »

Survived the AC - just about!
Have a general query about the AC centre - does anyone know if certain parts of the AC are weighed more than others or what way do Deloitte assess it?
Like most people, I feel I was stronger on some parts and weaker on others...Just wondering how it's all weighed if anyone has any general insight?
Thanks

It doesn't carry more weight than another part so to speak. Each part is graded and it's your overall average grade that scores you. Like homer said, one bad section doesn't mean you're out!

Koph89 · 11-03-2018 1:39pm

Thanks Maj! Fingers crossed

stm1 · 11-03-2018 9:05pm

Of those that pass the AC how many do you reckon make it to GV?

Banterbus28 · 11-03-2018 9:27pm

stm1 wrote: »

Of those that pass the AC how many do you reckon make it to GV?

Goinby the fact they are clearing the merit pool from 1509 everyone who passed PCA, medical, substance misuse and vetting is getting in.

stm1 · 11-03-2018 10:24pm

Is there any info out there to say how many fail the stages after AC?

NiK9 · 11-03-2018 10:32pm

You could submit a freedom of Information if you want to know the exact numbers.

NiK9 · 24-04-2018 4:36pm

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed

Service delivery
Overly

Openness to change
Simple

Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found

Fairness
Reading

Respect
Posts

Professionalism
Did

Decision making
Wonders

Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

Faugha · 24-04-2018 4:50pm

NiK9 wrote: »

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed
Service delivery
Overly
Openness to change
Simple
Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found
Fairness
Reading
Respect
Posts
Professionalism
Did
Decision making
Wonders
Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

We possibly had guidance from the same quarters. The report still hit me with a shock though

NiK9 · 24-04-2018 4:52pm

Faugha wrote: »

NiK9 wrote: »

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed
Service delivery
Overly
Openness to change
Simple
Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found
Fairness
Reading
Respect
Posts
Professionalism
Did
Decision making
Wonders
Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

We possibly had guidance from the same quarters. The report still hit me with a shock though

Lol I made the top one myself but seen the ileapt on posts here. Yea I think the report writing hit most people hard.

Robocop2k16 · 24-04-2018 5:01pm

Thats pretty much how I went about my role plays too. Tbh I think it was my action plans that dragged me down. They turned into a bit of a scribble due to the time.

Banterbus28 · 24-04-2018 5:03pm

Robocop2k16 wrote: »

Thats pretty much how I went about my role plays too. Tbh I think it was my action plans that dragged me down. They turned into a bit of a scribble due to the time.

You could be one mark off fast track threshold, be positive ffs ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚

Nap702 · 24-04-2018 5:04pm

NiK9 wrote: »

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed
Service delivery
Overly
Openness to change
Simple
Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found
Fairness
Reading
Respect
Posts
Professionalism
Did
Decision making
Wonders
Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

If I s aid to the role play actor during the exercise, like state the obvious as in, ‘The PSNI is open to change and to do this, we will be workin with others,’ will that get me them top marks or do you have to say Something in a way that your referring to them competencies? For example, I understand your concern but we will be workin with the council to resolve this matter’ (showing working with others)

Hope you understand what I mean.

NiK9 · 24-04-2018 5:20pm

Nap702 wrote: »

NiK9 wrote: »

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed
Service delivery
Overly
Openness to change
Simple
Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found
Fairness
Reading
Respect
Posts
Professionalism
Did
Decision making
Wonders
Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

If I s aid to the role play actor during the exercise, like state the obvious as in, ‘The PSNI is open to change and to do this, we will be workin with others,’ will that get me them top marks or do you have to say Something in a way that your referring to them competencies? For example, I understand your concern but we will be workin with the council to resolve this matter’ (showing working with others)

Hope you understand what I mean.

Yea mentioning "partners" is always the way to go. E.g., community watch groups, victim support, local community groups.
Openness to change I said thing like "I'm going to do this, this and that. How do you feel about that? We can also meet local representatives and see if local people have any other ideas to help."

Faugha · 24-04-2018 5:23pm

Nap702 wrote: »

NiK9 wrote: »

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed
Service delivery
Overly
Openness to change
Simple
Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found
Fairness
Reading
Respect
Posts
Professionalism
Did
Decision making
Wonders
Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

If I s aid to the role play actor during the exercise, like state the obvious as in, ‘The PSNI is open to change and to do this, we will be workin with others,’ will that get me them top marks or do you have to say Something in a way that your referring to them competencies? For example, I understand your concern but we will be workin with the council to resolve this matter’ (showing working with others)

Hope you understand what I mean.

What you could have said was...

“I am taking ownership of this issue and give you my assurance that I will endeavour to help you. I cannot promise you that I will arrest said person but I can promise you that I will follow up on the information you have given me and return to you with a response in an agreed time frame. Ask if they agree and create cohesive agreements. Explain that you appreciate the person is nervous about speaking to police but your organisation is about policing with the community and that it is only with community support and engagement that you can underpin this ethos and commend them for their bravery in taking a stand for their community.

Banterbus28 · 24-04-2018 5:25pm

Faugha wrote: »

Nap702 wrote: »

NiK9 wrote: »

Well now that the 1710 campaign AC is over I thought I'd come share some of the ways I prepared for the AC.
The main thing I used was acronyms to remember the personal behaviours. And as soon as I got my note pad at the AC I spent the "free time" writing it down on each page so I knew exactly what I had to do during each role play.

And In the spare time between role plays and action plans I spent time writing a small report about what had happened in the previous role play.

So the acronym I used for the personal behaviours was: ....

Applications -- Accountability
Seemed
Service delivery
Overly
Openness to change
Simple
Serving the public

Candidates --- Courtious
Found
Fairness
Reading
Respect
Posts
Professionalism
Did
Decision making
Wonders
Working with others

Another acronym for the roles plays I used was "ILEAPT"

Introduce
Listen
Empathy
Ask "questions"
Paraphrase (to confirm details)
Tell--- *The person what you're going to do/how you're going to help them.

If I s aid to the role play actor during the exercise, like state the obvious as in, ‘The PSNI is open to change and to do this, we will be workin with others,’ will that get me them top marks or do you have to say Something in a way that your referring to them competencies? For example, I understand your concern but we will be workin with the council to resolve this matter’ (showing working with others)

Hope you understand what I mean.

What you could have said was...

“I am taking ownership of this issue and give you my assurance that I will endeavour to help you. I cannot promise you that I will arrest said person but I can promise you that I will follow up on the information you have given me and return to you with a response in an agreed time frame. Ask if they agree and create cohesive agreements. Explain that you appreciate the person is nervous about speaking to police but your organisation is about policing with the community and that it is only with community support and engagement that you can underpin this ethos and commend them for their bravery in taking a stand for their community.

Seems a bit robotic.

Role actor is a person.

My last AC that i failed be a mark was 100% due to me being robotic. A member of the public is not gonna trust and relax when dealing with a robot in uniform.

You can be professional, relatable and yourself at the same time.

Faugha · 24-04-2018 5:30pm

I had 5 mins approx to hit the competencies - bear in mind my personality is not coming across in whstvyou read. All I can say is that after almost £500 with of coaching and help from officers etc it got me a fast track. So each to their own and what works for you may not work for others.

PSNI Recruitment - Stage 2 - The Assessment Centre

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