17 Protective Services Officer Interview Questions and Answers

Protective services officers, also known as PSOs, are responsible for the safety and security of people and property. They may work in a variety of settings, such as office buildings, schools, hospitals, and government buildings. PSOs typically work in teams and may be armed or unarmed.

When applying for a job as a PSO, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your experience, skills, and abilities. You may also be asked behavioral interview questions, which are designed to assess how you would react in certain situations.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with people who have mental health issues?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. It’s important to show that you’re willing to work with these individuals and provide them with support, guidance or assistance as needed.

Example: “I’ve worked with many people who are experiencing mental health issues in my previous role as a protective services officer. I’m comfortable talking with people who are having a difficult time and helping them feel safe and secure. In one instance, I was called to a situation where a woman was acting erratically. She was screaming and crying, but she wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. After speaking with her for a few minutes, I realized she was going through a manic episode. I helped calm her down and made sure she got home safely.”

What are some of the most important skills you have for this job?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills they are looking for in a protective services officer. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills that relate to this role, such as communication and problem-solving skills.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills I have is my ability to remain calm under pressure. In my previous position, I responded to an active shooter situation at a local high school. While it was scary, I knew I had to stay focused on my job so I could keep everyone safe. Another skill I rely on is my negotiation skills. During the same incident, I helped diffuse a tense situation between two students who were arguing. My communication skills allowed me to get them to cooperate.”

How would you handle a situation where you suspect an elderly person is being abused by their family?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a sensitive situation. Use your answer to show that you are empathetic and compassionate, while also being firm in your approach.

Example: “I have worked with many elderly people throughout my career, so I know how important it is to treat them with respect and kindness. If I suspected an elderly person was being abused by their family, I would first try to speak with the individual privately to see if they wanted help. If they were willing to leave their home, I would offer to drive them to a safe place where they could stay for as long as needed. If they refused my help or didn’t want me to tell anyone about the abuse, I would respect their wishes but keep an eye on them to make sure they’re okay.”

What is your process for handling an emergency situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a situation that requires quick thinking and decisive action. Use your answer to highlight your ability to make decisions quickly, communicate clearly and act decisively in emergency situations.

Example: “In my experience as a protective services officer, I have responded to many different types of emergencies. In each case, I try to assess the situation as quickly as possible so I can determine what resources are needed and who needs them most. For example, if I am responding to an active shooter situation, I will immediately call for backup and medical assistance while assessing the scene for any injured individuals. Then, I will work with other officers to secure the area and evacuate any civilians.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to use your communication skills to resolve a conflict.

Protective services officers often have to resolve conflicts between individuals or groups. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the communication skills necessary for this role. Use your answer to show that you can use your interpersonal skills to help others resolve their differences peacefully.

Example: “When I was working as a security guard at a local mall, I noticed two teenage girls arguing in the food court. One girl had spilled her drink on the other’s friend and she was upset about it. The girl who spilled the drink apologized but the other girl wouldn’t accept it. She kept yelling at her and threatening to get her friends to beat her up.

I walked over to them and asked if they could take their conversation outside. They agreed, so I escorted them to the front of the mall where there were fewer people around. I listened to both sides of the story and then helped them come up with an agreement. The girl who spilled the drink offered to buy the other girl another one. In return, the girl who got angry promised not to tell anyone what happened.”

If an individual is hostile toward you, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle conflict and potentially dangerous situations. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to diffuse a situation or use deescalation techniques to calm an individual.

Example: “I have had several encounters with individuals who are hostile toward me, but I always try to remain calm and respectful in these situations. In my last role as a protective services officer, I responded to a call at a local hospital where a patient was refusing treatment. The patient became increasingly agitated when I tried to speak with them, so I remained calm and spoke slowly to them. Eventually, they calmed down and agreed to be treated.”

What would you do if you saw an adult abusing a child?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle difficult situations. Use examples from your experience that show you know how to respond in these types of scenarios.

Example: “I once responded to a call where I saw an adult man yelling at a child. When I approached, he told me it was none of my business and threatened to call the police if I didn’t leave. I calmly explained that I was a protective services officer and needed to make sure the child was safe. He reluctantly let me speak with the child, who said they were scared but okay. The adult admitted that he had been frustrated and would apologize later. I made sure the child was safe and reported the incident to my supervisor.”

How well do you know the area you’ll be patrolling?

The interviewer wants to know how familiar you are with the area and its residents. They want to make sure that you’ll be able to respond quickly if there is an emergency, so they will likely ask questions about your knowledge of the community. In your answer, describe any experience you have in the area or any research you did before the interview.

Example: “I grew up in this town, so I am very familiar with it. I also worked as a security guard at the local mall for two years, so I know many of the people who live here. I would love to continue working in my hometown, and I think I can do a great job protecting the citizens.”

Do you have any experience working with animals?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with animals and how that may relate to this role. If you do, share a story about an instance where you helped an animal in need or used your skills to help them. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about what kind of pets you’ve had in the past and why you chose to work for this organization.

Example: “I grew up on a farm, so I’ve always been around animals. In high school, I volunteered at the local shelter and learned how to care for different types of animals. I also worked as a dog walker during college, which gave me valuable experience handling dogs of all sizes.”

When is it appropriate to call the police?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of when to call law enforcement. Use examples from your experience that show you know how to handle a variety of situations and who to contact for different types of incidents.

Example: “I have had several experiences where I’ve called the police, including one instance where I was working security at an event and saw two people fighting in the crowd. When I approached them, they started yelling at me and threatening me. I immediately called the police because I knew it would be unsafe for me to try to break up the fight myself. The police arrived within minutes and were able to diffuse the situation.”

We want to ensure our officers are physically fit. Are there any activities you would recommend to help maintain your health while working as a protective services officer?

This question is a great way to determine an applicant’s physical fitness level and how they plan to maintain it. You can also use this opportunity to learn about any health conditions that may affect their ability to perform the job.

Example: “I believe regular exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy, so I try to work out at least three times per week. I find that running or jogging outside helps me relieve stress after a long day on the job. I also make sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.”

Describe your experience with first-aid.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with emergency situations and how you respond to them. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life when answering this question.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for responding to emergencies in a large park where there were many activities going on at once. One day, I responded to an accident where a child fell off their bike and scraped their knee. I asked the parents if they had any bandages or gauze that we could use to clean the wound. They didn’t have anything, so I used some of my own supplies to clean the wound and cover it with a bandage until the family could get home.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this role. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that match what they’re looking for in an ideal candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about protecting others and ensuring everyone is safe. I have always been someone who cares deeply about my community and would do anything to help those in need. In my previous position as a security guard, I noticed there were often times when people needed immediate assistance. I took it upon myself to become trained in first aid so I could assist anyone who was injured until emergency services arrived. This shows that I’m committed to helping others and making sure they feel secure.”

Which protective services do you most want to experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for their department. They want to know that you’re excited about the work they do and how it benefits the community. Use your answer to highlight some of the aspects of protective services that interest you most.

Example: “I’m really looking forward to getting out on patrol with my team. I’ve heard from other officers that this is when you get to see firsthand what kind of impact you have on the community. It’s also exciting to me to be able to respond to emergency calls, especially those where we might need to use force or weapons. I am confident in my ability to protect myself and others, so I look forward to using my skills to keep people safe.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of this job?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you would approach this role. Your answer should show that you understand what is expected of a protective services officer, but it can also be an opportunity to share your own personal values.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of this job is ensuring the safety of others. I have always been someone who cares about other people’s well-being, so this career path makes sense for me. In my previous position as a security guard, I noticed that many people were in need of assistance or guidance. I enjoy being able to use my skills to help them feel more comfortable and safe.”

How often do you see abuse or neglect?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you react to difficult situations. Use your answer to highlight your ability to remain calm and focused in challenging circumstances.

Example: “I have seen abuse or neglect many times during my career, but I always try to keep a level head when responding to these calls. When I arrive at the scene, I assess the situation and make sure everyone is safe before speaking with anyone involved. I also take care not to jump to conclusions about what happened. Instead, I focus on gathering information from all parties involved so that I can determine exactly what occurred.”

There is a high volume of calls on a particular night. How do you stay focused and complete your duties effectively?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage high-pressure situations and whether your experience in protective services prepared you for these types of scenarios. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you are able to stay focused under pressure and complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “In my last role, I worked a night shift where there was a higher volume of calls than usual. To prepare myself for this situation, I made sure to get enough sleep before work so I could be alert during the shift. I also scheduled breaks throughout the night to ensure I had time to eat and rest between calls. This helped me stay focused on my duties and maintain composure even when there were many calls.”