APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Situational Judgement Scenarios Flashcards

You are the first officer at a scene where a person has been seriously assaulted. The victim is conscious and wants to tell you who attacked them, but bystanders are filming and shouting. What is your priority?

Answer: Attend to the victim, call EMS, and obtain the suspect description as quickly as possible

Attending to the victim, calling EMS, and securing a suspect description to enable quick apprehension are the priority actions.

You are responding to a mental health call. A person is distressed and armed with a kitchen knife but has not threatened anyone. What is the most appropriate initial approach?

Answer: Maintain a safe distance, speak calmly, request mental health crisis support, and try to de-escalate

De-escalation, maintaining distance, and involving mental health crisis resources is the most appropriate initial response when there is no imminent threat.

You are approached by a journalist who asks for details about an ongoing investigation. What is the appropriate response?

Answer: Refer the journalist to the police service's media relations unit and provide no case details yourself

All media inquiries about active investigations must be directed to the media relations unit to maintain investigative integrity.

You receive a complaint alleging that your partner used excessive force during an arrest you were both present for. You believe your partner acted appropriately. What do you do?

Answer: Document your observations accurately and cooperate fully with any investigation

Documenting observations accurately and cooperating with any investigation upholds integrity regardless of your personal assessment.

A victim of a serious crime asks you to share their file with a community support organisation without going through official channels because they are impatient with delays. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Explain that sharing file information must follow proper legal and privacy protocols and help the victim understand the official referral process

Personal information in police files is subject to FOIP protections and must be shared through proper authorised channels.

You are conducting a traffic stop and the driver begins to record the interaction on their phone. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Allow the recording to continue — members of the public have the right to film police in public spaces

Members of the public have a legal right to film police officers performing their duties in public.