Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Cell Phone Forensics • Crime Mapping • Discovery

Criminal Procedure

Term from Law Enforcement industry explained for recruiters

Criminal Procedure is the system of rules and steps that police officers, investigators, and legal professionals follow when handling criminal cases. It covers everything from making arrests to collecting evidence and handling court proceedings. Think of it as a detailed guidebook that ensures law enforcement actions are legal and proper. This knowledge is essential for police officers, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel to ensure they're doing their jobs correctly and that their work will hold up in court. When you see this term in a resume, it usually means the candidate understands how to handle criminal cases properly from start to finish.

Examples in Resumes

Trained new officers in proper Criminal Procedure and evidence handling techniques

Successfully managed investigations following Criminal Procedure guidelines

Conducted arrests and searches in accordance with Criminal Procedure standards

Typical job title: "Law Enforcement Officers"

Also try searching for:

Police Officer Criminal Investigator Detective Law Enforcement Officer Sheriff Deputy Court Officer Probation Officer

Where to Find Law Enforcement Officers

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Online Networks

• LinkedIn Law Enforcement Groups
• LinkedIn Law Enforcement Professionals
• Police Forums

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle training new officers about proper criminal procedure?

Expected Answer: A senior officer should discuss creating training programs, using real-world examples, ensuring compliance with current laws, and mentoring officers to understand both the 'why' and 'how' of procedures.

Q: What changes have you seen in criminal procedure over your career and how have you adapted?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of legal updates, technology changes (like body cameras), and how they've implemented new procedures while maintaining effectiveness.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Explain how you ensure proper evidence handling procedures are followed.

Expected Answer: Should describe the chain of custody, proper documentation methods, and specific steps they take to maintain evidence integrity.

Q: What steps do you take to ensure a proper arrest procedure?

Expected Answer: Should outline the process from establishing probable cause through proper documentation, including rights notification and safety procedures.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are Miranda Rights and when must they be read?

Expected Answer: Should be able to recite Miranda Rights and explain they're required when someone is both in custody and being interrogated.

Q: What is probable cause and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should explain that probable cause is the reasonable belief that a crime has been committed, and it's needed for arrests and searches.