February 19, 2025 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Recruitment and Promotion
Request Number: FOI/13703
Category: Human Resources - Promotion
Subject: Sergeant Exam process November 2024
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request 1
Re Constable to Sergeant Exam process November 2024, Were the questions used taken from a bank of validated questions? If not, why not?
Answer 1
All questions used in promotion exams go to a Review Panel. This is made up of an Inspector, a member of Legal Services, and a police officer of at least Chief Inspector rank. Questions must be approved by the panel before being noted as suitable for use in a promotion exam.
Request 2
How many questions from the exam have been removed or awarded points to all candidates as they were unsuitable?
Answer 2
Ten marks were awarded by the chief moderator for questions queried for a range of reasons.
Request 3
Was there any questions on the paper which were found to not have any correct answer in the multiple choice? If yes, how many?
Answer 3
Yes – three questions.
Request 4
Were any of the questions deemed unsuitable or unanswerable used in the earlier Inspectors exam?
Answer 4
Yes
Request 5
Re question 4, what was the decision-making process to retain any such questions on the Sergeants exam?
Answer 5
The Chief Moderators review for the Inspectors exam had not taken place at the time the Sergeants exam happened.
Request 6
Was the same printed exam paper used for each candidate? If so, why were some candidates asked to amend questions whilst others were not?
Answer 6
Yes, the same printed exam paper was used for each candidates. Instructions were issued to all invigilators regarding amendments but unfortunately these were not picked up in time at some locations.
Request 7
Given the complaints received re the Inspectors exam and questions removed, was any consideration given to cancelling the process and providing a different exam paper?
Answer 7
The chief moderator and Strategic Promotions and Examinations Board (SPEB) were content correct protocols were followed.