APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Problem Analysis and Resolution Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are the only officer available in your zone.
Three calls are pending: A) A report of a stolen bicycle from a garage that occurred overnight.
B) A noise complaint about a loud party that has been ongoing for an hour.
C) A report of two individuals yelling at each other in a public park, with no mention of physical violence.
Which of the following represents the most logical order to address these calls?

Accepted Answer

C, B, A

Answer

A, B, C

Answer

B, A, C

Answer

A, C, B

Question 2

An officer is repeatedly dispatched to a specific convenience store for loitering complaints involving teenagers after school. Simply dispersing the teens provides only a temporary solution. Which of the following demonstrates the most effective problem-oriented policing approach to this recurring issue?

Accepted Answer

Arranging a meeting with the store owner, school officials, and community youth program leaders to find alternative activities or locations for the teens.

Answer

Increasing patrols and issuing trespassing tickets to any teen who loiters.

Answer

Advising the store owner to hire private security to deal with the issue.

Answer

Documenting each call and informing the teens that continued loitering will result in arrests.

Question 3

You respond to a domestic dispute. Person A claims Person B pushed them during an argument. Person B claims Person A tripped accidentally while walking away and is now making a false accusation. Both are calm upon your arrival, and there are no visible injuries or independent witnesses. What is the most critical next step in analyzing this situation?

Accepted Answer

Separate the individuals and interview them in detail about the sequence of events, looking for inconsistencies.

Answer

Arrest Person B based on Person A's statement, as it alleges an assault.

Answer

Tell them to resolve the issue themselves as no one was visibly injured.

Answer

Conclude that it's a he-said/she-said situation and warn both parties to stay away from each other.

Question 4

A dispatcher reports a 'suspicious person' call. The caller states a person is 'walking back and forth and looking into parked cars' on a residential street at 2:00 AM. The caller provides a vague description and then hangs up without leaving their name. As you approach the area, what is the most prudent course of action?

Accepted Answer

Park a short distance away and observe the area discreetly to verify the reported activity before making contact.

Answer

Immediately stop and question the first person you see who matches the vague description.

Answer

Drive through the area with your spotlight on to deter any potential criminal activity.

Answer

Disregard the call as it is anonymous and lacks specific details.

Question 5

You are investigating a minor theft and identify a clear suspect from security footage. You recognize the suspect as the sole caregiver for their elderly, infirm parent. Arresting the suspect will likely result in the parent being left without care. Which of the following is the most appropriate resolution?

Accepted Answer

Contact a supervisor to discuss the situation and coordinate with social services *before* making the arrest to ensure the parent has care arranged.

Answer

Ignore the theft because of the suspect's difficult personal circumstances.

Answer

Arrest the suspect immediately and let social services handle the parental care issue later.

Answer

Confront the suspect and tell them to return the stolen item, agreeing not to press charges if they do.

Question 6

An officer is using the SARA model for problem-solving a recurring issue. What is the crucial first step in this process?

Accepted Answer

Scanning (Identifying and defining the problem).

Answer

Response (Implementing a solution).

Answer

Assessment (Evaluating the effectiveness of the response).

Answer

Analysis (Determining the cause of the problem).