ACT 235 Patrol Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During patrol, an Act 235 officer notices a fence breach on the perimeter. What is the immediate action?
- Repair the breach personally
- Assess the area for intrusion signs, document, and notify the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Continue patrol and report at shift end
- Set up an ambush at the breach point
Correct answer: Assess the area for intrusion signs, document, and notify the supervisor
The officer should assess for signs of intrusion, document the breach, and immediately notify the supervisor for follow-up.
Question 2: What does the term 'contact and cover' mean in patrol procedures?
- One officer contacts subjects while a partner provides tactical cover (Correct answer)
- Contacting dispatch while covering a scene
- Covering a patrol area while contacting witnesses
- Using cover fire while contacting a threat
Correct answer: One officer contacts subjects while a partner provides tactical cover
Contact and cover is a two-officer tactic where one officer handles the contact while the second maintains situational awareness and provides protection.
Question 3: An officer on patrol observes smoke coming from a building. What is the correct immediate action?
- Enter the building to search for people
- Activate the fire alarm, notify emergency services, and begin evacuation procedures (Correct answer)
- Investigate the source of smoke first before calling for help
- Wait to confirm the smoke is from a fire before acting
Correct answer: Activate the fire alarm, notify emergency services, and begin evacuation procedures
Immediately activating alarms and notifying emergency services minimizes risk to life and property while keeping the officer safe.
Question 4: What is the purpose of maintaining a patrol log during an Act 235 patrol shift?
- To track personal break times
- To create a chronological record of observations, incidents, and actions taken (Correct answer)
- To document overtime hours
- To record communications with supervisors only
Correct answer: To create a chronological record of observations, incidents, and actions taken
A patrol log provides a chronological, legally defensible record of the officer's observations and actions throughout the shift.
Question 5: When approaching a dark area during a patrol, what is the recommended technique for an Act 235 officer?
- Use a flashlight held at arm's length away from the body (Correct answer)
- Walk directly into the dark area quickly
- Avoid all dark areas during patrol
- Shine the flashlight directly from the hip
Correct answer: Use a flashlight held at arm's length away from the body
Holding the flashlight away from the body reduces the officer's profile as a target if an adversary aims at the light source.
Question 6: A subject refuses to show identification when lawfully requested by an Act 235 officer. What should the officer do?
- Arrest the subject for obstruction
- Detain the subject by force to obtain ID
- Document the refusal, maintain presence, and contact law enforcement if needed (Correct answer)
- Allow the subject to leave without further action
Correct answer: Document the refusal, maintain presence, and contact law enforcement if needed
Act 235 officers should document the refusal and contact law enforcement if the situation warrants further action, as arrest authority may be limited.
Question 7: During a patrol, an officer finds an abandoned bag in a high-security zone. What is the appropriate response?
- Open the bag to check its contents
- Treat it as a potential threat, establish a perimeter, and notify authorities (Correct answer)
- Move the bag to a storage area
- Ignore the bag unless someone claims it
Correct answer: Treat it as a potential threat, establish a perimeter, and notify authorities
Unattended bags in secure areas must be treated as potential threats; establish a perimeter and notify the appropriate authorities.
ACT 235 Patrol Procedures 3
During patrol, an Act 235 officer notices a fence breach on the perimeter.
What is the immediate action?