Quiz: Have you got what it takes to become a detective?

Have a positive impact: Police Now’s National Detective Programme is open for applications. Photograph: Westend61/Getty

1. You’re invited to a Cluedo evening with friends. Do you:

   1. Say no. You’ve never understood its appeal.

   2. Say yes. You adore figuring out who’s done it. What’s not to love?

   3. Ask: ‘What’s Cluedo?’

2. Your sister asks you to join her community choir as it needs younger members. Do you:

   1. Refuse. You enjoy singing in the bath but would never expose your voice to the public.

   2. Say no – you don’t have the time to learn all the songs before the concert in a fortnight.

   3. Tell her you’ll give it a go. You’ve heard being in a choir is good for the soul.

3. A friend has entered a marathon and wants you to be his training buddy, but you’ve only ever completed a 5k fun run. Do you:

   1. Say no – your running days are over.

   2. Dig out your old running shoes – you’d relish a new fitness challenge and you might even enjoy it.

   3. Say no but promise to cheer him over the finishing line and offer to sponsor him.

4. You’re in a hurry when a French tourist stops you and asks directions to the Houses of Parliament. Do you:

   1. Say sorry you’re in a rush so can’t help.

   2. Say sorry you’ve no idea and suggest they ask a policeman.

   3. Reply ‘Oui, bien sûr’, open Google Maps and accompany them – it’s a great chance to put your French conversation classes to the test.

5. You’re off on holiday on Monday with a group of university friends. Everyone is on a tight budget. Do you:

   1. Spend the weekend finding out how to get from the airport to your hotel by public transport, searching for budget places to eat and getting the map out to plan walks to popular attractions.

   2. Nothing. The accommodation and flights are booked, so what’s left to do?

   3. Buy a guidebook.

6. A developer wants to covert an empty terraced family home on your street into a student house. Neighbours are worried about potential nuisance. Do you:

   1. Do nothing. You can’t see what the fuss is about – weren’t we all students once?

   2. Print off copies of the planning documents and invite neighbours and your local councillor to a meeting at your house to discuss the next moves. Volunteer to chair the action committee.

   3. Worry that the value of your home might drop and ask the local estate agent for advice.

7. Local TV news reveals that the popular youth club at your community centre is at risk of closing because of lack of volunteers. Do you:

   1. Ring your mum to see if she’s interested, as she’s just retired and has time on her hands.

   2. Blame austerity.

   3. Appreciate the value it offers in keeping young people off the streets and contact the club to become a volunteer.

8. A junior colleague confides that his boss is a bully and he is thinking of walking out. Do you:

   1. Listen to what's been happening, then suggest the next action should be to contact HR for further advice on any response to be taken.

   2. Remind him that getting on with difficult work colleagues is all part of life.

   3. Agree he should leave – what took him so long?

9. A room has just become available in a friend’s flat and you’re invited to move in. You’ve always wanted to live on their side of town, but aren’t sure you can afford it. Do you:

   1. Say no – you can’t afford it.

   2. Say yes – fingers crossed it’s within your budget.

   3. Find out the extra expense of commuting from the new flat, ask about household bills and look at your finances to see if you can make savings elsewhere before making a decision.

10. A friend thinks they may have a drink problem and asks you for advice. Do you:

    1. Tell them they are overreacting – everybody likes a drink.

    2. Tell them you are very busy but suggest you meet up next week for a chat.

    3. Tell them not to worry, that you will be there for them and invite them to supper that evening. Meanwhile, discover where the nearest AA meeting is held and Google how you can support somebody with addiction issues.

11. You've got plans for the weekend but your boss wants you to come in on Saturday to help her with a conference presentation. Do you:

    1. Clear Saturday's diary, print off your own presentation and grasp the opportunity to discuss what you both hope to gain from the event.

    2. Say sorry, you've got plans for the weekend, but suggest you meet up at lunchtime or after work on Monday instead.

    3. Say sorry, you never work weekends.

Solutions

1:B - Detectives must have an investigative mindset – making informed decisions and never assumptions. , 2:C - Detectives should be innovative and open-minded – looking for ways to boost their development and apply what they have learned. , 3:B - Detectives should be committed to delivering results – working to the best of their ability and go outside their comfort zones., 4:C - Detectives must be clear communicators – in every situation, regardless of their knowledge or seniority. , 5:A - Detectives should be good organisers – they work at pace, prepare thoroughly and consider all options., 6:B - Detectives must have credible authority – as natural leaders they can voice concerns, be constructive, and respect other opinions. , 7:C - Detectives believe in legacy – working on things that make a difference and have a positive impact on others. , 8:A - Detectives should be empathic connectors – instinctively socially aware, and able to read situations, respond appropriately and understand others’ points of view. , 9:C - Detectives should have an investigative mindset – able to make viable decisions, considering risks and pitfalls. , 10:C - Detectives must be empathic connectors and communicate to reflect their audience, aiming to remove barriers while maintaining good relationships., 11:A - Detectives need resilience - quickly able to refocus and account for new information or changes that impact on their work.

Scores

1. 4 and above.

   You're not quite there, but don’t give up. You show some of the attributes that could be honed and built upon. Why not spend a bit of time understanding the role by visiting the Police Now Detectives website?

2. 7 and above.

   Top marks. With your open-minded approach, investigative qualities, resilience and empathy, you have the ideal skillset to become a police detective. Just follow the link to the National Detective Programme and apply today.

3. 0 and above.

   Well done for taking part. Unfortunately, at this point in time, your skills do not match up with those required to be a police detective. However, many of those going into detective roles use the skills and experience they have gained in other sectors, so do not completely discount it as a future option.

Apply now at the Police Now Detectives site