Police Lieutenant Promotional Exam

2026 Police Lieutenant Promotional Exam Important Dates

Note: The scheduled dates are subject to revision in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the Civil Service Commission. Any deviations from this schedule will be documented and applicable notifications, if any, will be made.

2026 Columbus Police Lieutenant Promotional Exam Reading List

The revisions cutoff date for all internal division sources is October 1, 2025.

Internal Division of Police Sources:

• 2023, 2024, and January – September of 2025 Legal Updates*
• Arrest, Search, and Seizure Manual
• Directives Manual
• Emergency Operations Manual
• FOP Contract (December 9, 2023 - December 8, 2026)
•  Patrol SOP Manual
• Supervisor’s Manual

 Outside Sources:

Supplemental sources including but not limited to texts, articles, and documents may be announced as needed for the Written Work Sample and Oral Board Exam at the time of the application filing period.

Please Note:

• Where Legal Updates contradict each other, the most recent update will be considered as superseding the older update.

• Any of the listed source materials as well as a dictionary may be referenced by candidates during the Written Work Sample phase, preparation period of the Oral Board phase, petitions, and appeals. Unless otherwise specified in the exam notice, candidates must bring their own printed copies of these materials (non-electronic). Due to exam security, candidates are not permitted to bring their own electronic copies of reading list material.

• If test development SMEs and CSC staff determine that the source(s) is(are) needed for reference by candidates during the exam, the Criminal Complaint Manual, Field Training Officer Program Manual, and Field Report Manual will be provided in full or in part to candidates at the time of the exam phases.

• Any content from the sources on the reading list may be tested in any phase of this examination.

For the Oral Board phase only:

Willink, J. & Babin, L. (2017). Extreme ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs lead and win (2nd ed.). St. Martin’s Press.

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250183863?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_thcv_0&storeType=ebooks&qid=1780599583&sr=8-1

Added 06/30/2026

Full transcript of this video is available in accessible HTML format

Police Lieutenant Promotional Exam Written Work Sample (WWS)

Sample Problem/Response

NOTE: This sample consists of 1) a sample WWS problem, 2) a reference passage excerpted from a Division source, and 3) an abbreviated sample WWS response. The abbreviated response illustrates how one might derive specific steps from a referenced Division source, and how one might articulate those in their response. A proper response to an actual WWS problem WILL require more steps/information and/or reference to multiple sources.  

1) Sample WWS Problem

You are a Patrol Lieutenant and one of your officers is off on injury leave. You know that your Commander encourages home visits when possible. Since it is a very slow day on the precinct, you decide to visit the injured officer at his home. The officer does not live on your zone. Per Division policy, what steps will you take before, during, and after the home visit?

2) Reference Passages Excerpted From a Division Source

Supervisor's Manual 5.00.V.B. – E

1. Supervisors should check to see that the employee is home during scheduled work hours and ensure the employee is aware of and complying with contractual mandates and Division policy.
2. Supervisors shall not inquire about, gather, or document any personal medical information of the employee. Supervisors may inquire about concerns such as when the employee expects to return to work, if the employee can return to restricted duty, or whether the employee has contacted Employee Benefits.
3. Upon completing a home visit, the supervisor shall write a letter of information documenting the date and time of the home visit and pertinent information relative to the employee’s compliance with Division policy and contractual mandates. The supervisor shall note any observations made during the home visit that indicate apparent sick leave or injury leave abuse (for example, the employee was doing strenuous yard work while marked off with a back injury). General observations and opinions regarding an employee’s medical condition shall not be included. The letter shall be forwarded through the employee’s chain of command to Employee Benefits.
4. Sergeants may conduct a home visit without prior approval when an employee’s residence is on their assigned zone; otherwise, a lieutenant or higher must approve a home visit.

3) Sample WWS Response

• Check to see that the employee is home during scheduled work hours
• Only inquire about non-medical concerns

Write a letter of information documenting:

• The date and time of the home visit
• Pertinent information relative to the employee's compliance with Division policy and contractual mandates
• Any observations made during the home visit that indicate apparent injury leave abuse
• Forward letter through the employee's chain of command to EBU

This is a sample response. It is not intended to suggest an ideal response for a written work sample exam, or how the written work sample will be scored.