Preliminary Research My Interviewee

Alex Layton

Interview Project: Part 1

Communication 1010-013

9/4/0214

Preliminary Research

My Interviewee:

For my interview I will be speaking with Radek Parez. Radek is a co-worker of mine but was formerly a police officer for the state of Colorado for four and a half years. Born in the Czech Republic, Radek has a very unique perspective to go along with his experiences while working as a police officer. I chose to interview Radek because I am considering joining the police academy to become a police officer and eventually a detective and know he will have detailed insight into the profession. We both decided it would be easiest to conduct the interview at our place of work, upstairs, after-hours; since we live far apart and would have a hard time meeting otherwise.

Career Research:

I decided to focus my research more on the local side of police work instead of the federal and state side. I made this decision based on my own personal preferences when it comes to police work and government. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Police Officers and Detectives protect lives and property, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.” Police work can be physically demanding, stressful and also dangerous.

Education requirements range from a high school diploma, to a college, or higher, degree according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Most police officers must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing on-the-job training as well. Entry-level education requirements are generally just a high school diploma. Also stated in the Occupational Outlook Handbook is the median pay for police and detectives, which is $56,980 as of 2012.

Although police work may be dangerous and hard to do at times, I believe it can also be very rewarding. This is one of the many reasons I am interested in this profession and am conducting this interview.

Interview Plan

Opening:

Radek, I would like to start by saying thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with me for this interview. As you already know, my name is Alex. We have worked together now for around three years and over the course of this time I have heard that you were formerly a police officer in Colorado for four and a half years. This is exciting to me because I have been interested in this field of work for quite some time and have wanted to speak with someone about it. My communications class is requiring me to conduct a career research interview and this is the reason of our interview today. It will fulfill my assignment and also answer questions I have had about this line of work. The interview will last around 30 minutes and will consist of questions regarding your time spent as a police officer. The training required, work schedule, education, daily routines, impact on family life and others. If you don’t mind, I would like to record our conversation as well as take notes so that I can review our conversation in an accurate manner. Are there any questions you have for me before we begin?

Body:

Topic 1: Starting Life as a Police Officer

First, I would like to find out how you became a police officer.

1. 
   Why did you choose to become a police officer? (Primary, Open)
   

-What other options did you have at the time? (Secondary, Open)

- What influences were involved in your decision to become a police officer? (Secondary, Open)

2. 
   What education and training did you have before becoming a police officer? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  Did this education help you as a police officer? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  Do you feel that your prior education and training were adequate for becoming a police officer? (Secondary, Closed)
  

3. 
   What education and training would you recommend for someone thinking of becoming a police officer? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  What skills and traits should someone have to be a police officer? (Secondary, Open)
  
• 
  -What is the most important aspect in becoming a police officer? (Secondary, Open)
  

4. 
   How did life as a police officer differ than from what you thought or expected? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  Was life as a police officer hard to adjust to? (Secondary, Closed)
  

Topic 2: Work-life, Family life, Day to Day Duties

Next, I would like to hear what being a police officer actually entails and how it affects your life and how you balance everything that comes along with it.

1. 
   Can you explain what a typical day on the job was like? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  What were the hardest tasks to do in your opinion? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  Which tasks were easiest in your opinion? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  What kinds of things did you deal with most while on the job? (Secondary, Open)
  

2. 
   What did you enjoy most about being a police officer? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  What did you least enjoy about being a police officer? (Secondary, Open)
  

3. 
   Can you tell me a little bit about your schedule as a police officer? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  How flexible is a police officer’s schedule? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  Does the amount of time and work you put in get compensated well enough? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  Did your schedule interfere with your personal/family life? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  To previous question: How did it interfere? (Secondary, Open)
  

4. 
   Tell me a little about the type of people you work with in the police force? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  What characteristics and traits do you think would be beneficial to have as a police officer? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  Did you find it difficult or easy to work with others as a police officer? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  To previous question: What made it more difficult or easier? (Secondary, Open)
  

5. 
   What was the most challenging aspect of being a police officer? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  Would you recommend people to join a police force? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  To previous question: Why? (Secondary, Open)
  

6. 
   Tell me about why you decided to stop pursuing police work as a career? (Primary, Open)
   

• 
  Police work can be very dangerous; did this have any bearing on your decision? (Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  Did family and personal life interfere with your job too much? ( Secondary, Closed)
  
• 
  To previous question: Tell me how you tried to balance work and family? (Secondary, Open)
  

Clearinghouse Questions:

1. 
   Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you think I should be aware of? (Primary, Open)
   
2. 
   Is there anything else you would like to add or share before we conclude? (Primary, Open)
   
3. 
   What other research or people should I talk to, to better understand police work? (Primary, Bipolar)
   

Closing:

Thank you very much for doing this with me Radek. I really appreciate the time and input you have given to me. This information will be invaluable and extremely helpful. Thanks for giving me your honest opinions and insight into police work. This will help guide my future decisions in pursuing this career. Also, if you could please fill out this evaluation form in an honest and complete manner. Your evaluation, whether it’s good or bad, will have no effect on my grade but will give me feedback and credit for the assignment. Once again, I would like to thank you for your time Radek. I’ll see you later. (Handshake) Good bye.