Administration and Personnel
Administration and Personnel tests the officer's conduct inside the organization: policy and post orders, report writing, training, records, ethics, chain of command, PREA duties, and personnel accountability. The exam often asks what a professional officer must do after an incident, not only during it.
Administration
- Follow post orders and written policy; deviations must be justified and documented.
- Reports must be factual, complete, and timely: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Avoid opinions, labels, and conclusions.
- Maintain chain of custody for evidence and contraband.
- Protect confidential records and inmate information.
Personnel and ethics
- Complete required training, including use of force, suicide prevention, first aid, and PREA.
- Report misconduct, including sexual misconduct and excessive force; intervene when you can.
- Use the chain of command; do not gossip or post about inmates or incidents.
Worked example
An officer sees a colleague strike a compliant inmate. The officer should intervene if safe, call for a supervisor, ensure medical evaluation, and document what was observed. Waiting to see whether the inmate complains creates liability and violates the duty to report. The report should state facts, not loyalty or opinion.
Traps that cost marks
Late reports; editorializing; signing incomplete logs; failing to report misconduct; discussing incidents with unauthorized people.