APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Problem Analysis and Resolution Flashcards

A supervisor says, 'Every report with missing signatures must be returned.' Report 7 was not returned. What must be true?

Answer: Report 7 had all signatures

If it had a missing signature it would have been returned, so it must have been complete.

Two roads lead to an incident. Road A is 6 km at an average 60 km/h; Road B is 4 km at an average 30 km/h. Which is faster?

Answer: Road A by 2 minutes

Road A takes 6 minutes while Road B takes 8 minutes.

An officer is told two conflicting instructions by different supervisors. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Seek clarification through the chain of command

Clarifying through proper channels resolves the conflict without risk of error.

A pattern of thefts occurs on Tuesdays and Fridays between 3 and 4 p.m. Which resolution best uses this information?

Answer: Concentrate surveillance on those days and times

Targeting the identified pattern makes the best use of limited resources.

Which of the following is the best example of identifying a root cause?

Answer: Discovering that a nail-strewn lot is causing repeated flats and clearing it

Addressing the source stops the problem from recurring.

A schedule needs 4 officers per shift over 3 shifts daily. Each officer works 5 shifts per week. How many officers are needed to cover 7 days?

Answer: 16.8, so 17

4 × 3 × 7 = 84 shifts; 84 ÷ 5 = 16.8, rounded up to 17.

Which assumption could most weaken the conclusion that 'a new lighting system reduced crime'?

Answer: Crime fell across the whole city, including unlit areas

A citywide drop suggests another cause than the lighting.