THE STANDARDS
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, SENSITIVITY, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS
Public Safety Officers must be able to draw on extraordinary levels of tact and diplomacy to achieve their goals while dealing with the diverse population of the City of Los Angeles. They must be able to use advice, appropriate warnings, and persuasion to engender cooperation from the public. Additionally, they must be able to work effectively either as an individual or as a member of a larger team. Every candidate shall demonstrate an understanding of the skills necessary to deal effectively with others in a cooperative and courteous manner. Desired behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
- Understanding the impact of words and behavior on others, and modifying one's own behavior, comments, or course of action accordingly
- Concern for the feelings and perspectives of others
- Demonstration of impartiality in dealing with issues of age, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, and cultural diversity
- Use of tact and diplomacy to achieve goals, resolve disputes, and to diffuse or deescalate conflict
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, making appropriate contributions and recognizing the achievements of others.
Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
Incidents of domestic violence; use of verbal or physical abuse or violence towards others indicating a lack of self-control; inability to get along with others in work or personal life; failure to listen effectively; use of derogatory stereotypes in jokes or daily language; making rude and/or condescending remarks to or about others; use of physical force to resolve disputes; demonstrated overreaction to criticism; inability to work effectively as a team player; disruptive/challenging to authority; use of harassment, threats, or intimidation to gain an advantage.
DECISION MAKING AND JUDGEMENT
Public Safety Officers must possess extraordinarily good sense and must demonstrate through their past behavior that they can analyze a situation quickly, make sound and responsible decisions, and take appropriate action. Desired behaviors may include, but are not limited to the ability to:
• Critically analyze options and determine an appropriate course of action in a given situation
• Act assertively and without hesitation, but without overreacting
• Make quick, responsible decisions under pressure
• Persuade others to accept ones point of view or to desired course of action
• Know when to make an exception; exercise appropriate discretion
• Prioritize competing demands
• Simultaneously and appropriately address multiple tasks
• Make appropriate choices without constant supervision or detailed instructions
• Creatively develop innovative solutions to problems
Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
Making poor choices given known circumstances; indecision when options are not clear-cut; failure to take action when appropriate or demonstrating insecurity about making a decision ; behavior indicating poor judgment or failure to consider appropriate options; failure to learn from past mistakes; inability or unwillingness to modify a position; rigid adherence to rules without consideration of alternative information; failure to see or consider all options; and but not limited to succumbing to peer pressure.
MATURITY AND DISCIPLINE
Public Safety Officers must present a background which demonstrates maturity and readiness for employment. Your past choices must be free from inappropriate behavior. A significant degree of personal discipline must be displayed to ensure that you consistently refrain from taking actions which may be detrimental to your own health and well-being or the health and well-being of others. You must be able to maintain your composure and stay in control during critical situations, maintain a positive attitude, and accept constructive criticism without becoming defensive. Desired behaviors may include, but are not limited to the ability to:
• Refrain from engaging in conduct which would reflect poorly on the City and limit a Public Safety Officer's ability to do his or her job effectively
• Adhere to legal and societal constraints and requirements of conduct
• Consider consequences prior to taking an action
• Accept responsibility for past actions and mistakes
• Take proper precautions and avoid unnecessarily risky behavior
• Use constructive criticism to improve performance
• Work well in unstructured situations with minimal supervision
Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
Use of illegal drugs; abuse of alcohol or prescription medications; failure to follow all laws and common rules of conduct; associating with individuals who break the law; being argumentative, defensive, or blaming others (or circumstances) for mistakes made; past behavior which indicates a tendency to resort to use of force to gain objectives; overbearing in approach to resolving problems; unnecessarily confrontational; taking unnecessary personal risks; placing others at risk through your actions; reacting childishly or with anger to criticism or disappointment.
HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND PERSONAL ETHICS
Public Safety Officers are required to demonstrate the highest possible personal integrity through your honesty and ethical conduct. You must be able to maintain high standards of personal conduct, abide by the law, and demonstrate attributes such as truthfulness and fairness in relationships with others. You must demonstrate a willingness to work within the organization. Examples of behaviors which meet this standard include, but are not limited to:
- Being truthful in dealings with others
- Fully cooperating and being completely forthcoming during the pre-employment selection process
- Admitting and understanding past mistakes
- Refraining from using employment or a position of authority for personal gain
- Refraining from bending rules or otherwise trying to beat the system
- Accepting responsibility for your actions
Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
Making false and/or misleading statements or intentionally omitting relevant information; purposefully withholding information; minimizing past mistakes or errors; blaming others/making excuses for mistakes; attempting to induce others to give false information; bending the rules or using a position of authority for personal gain; refusing to accept responsibility for improper actions; condoning the unethical behavior of others through silence; engaging in illegal or immoral activities of such a nature that would be offensive to contemporary community standards of propriety; theft; and, but not limited to fraud.
SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS
Public Safety Officers are required to demonstrate the ability to set and achieve personal and professional goals. Candidates for public safety positions can best position themselves for consideration through continuing achievement in the workplace, educational environment, volunteer activities, and/or community involvement. You must demonstrate initiative and the ability to follow through on all commitments without constant supervision and detailed instruction. You have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to set and achieve goals, work in a diligent, reliable, and conscientious manner in accordance with specific rules and policies, and your readiness for, and commitment to, public service through the following:
• Advancement in the workplace through promotion or increased responsibilities
• Completing work as required and on schedule
• Meeting high standards for punctuality and attendance
• Meeting family obligations
• Educational achievement
• Involvement in volunteer or community improvement activities
• Easily meeting unpredictable or unexpected challenges
Examples of potentially disqualifying evidence
Failure to meet commitments to work, school, family, volunteer, or community activities.
RECORD CHECKS
Candidates for public safety positions are held to exacting standards of behavior throughout all aspects of their lives. You can expect specific inquiry to be made into your past behavior regarding:
- Exercising fiscal responsibility
- Employing safe driving practices
- Maintaining stable employment
- Obeying laws, rules, regulations, and orders
- Military accomplishments
Examples of potentially disqualifying evidence
Past due accounts, discharged debts, late payments, collection accounts, civil judgments and/or bankruptcy; failure to exercise fiscal responsibility commensurate with income; failure to follow all traffic laws; numerous moving and non-moving violations; at fault traffic accidents; terminations or suspensions from work; reprimands or counseling for poor work performance (including Military service); failure to meet obligations (for example, auto insurance, auto registration, selective service registration, IRS requirements, child support obligations, etc.); law enforcement contacts, arrests, and convictions (as appropriate); other than Honorable discharge from the military.
It is in your best interest to be completely forthcoming and truthful during the background investigation process. Many candidates are disqualified during the background portion of the selection process as a result of dishonesty. These candidates purposely omit information they think will result in their removal from the selection process, when that may not have been the case. When this information is later discovered during the background investigation, the candidate is disqualified, but not necessarily for the behavior he or she failed to disclose. Rather, the candidate is disqualified for failure to provide complete, accurate, and honest information.