APCAT Situational Judgement Scenarios 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A complainant tells you they were assaulted but does not want to press charges. How should you proceed?
- Close the file immediately since the victim does not want charges
- Document the incident and explain that charging decisions rest with the Crown, not the victim (Correct answer)
- Press charges on behalf of the victim without their knowledge
- Encourage the victim to drop the matter to keep statistics low
Correct answer: Document the incident and explain that charging decisions rest with the Crown, not the victim
The decision to charge rests with the Crown, so the officer should document thoroughly and inform the complainant of the process.
Question 2: You receive a call about a neighbor dispute over noise. When you arrive, both neighbors begin yelling at each other in front of you. What is your first step?
- Arrest the louder neighbor
- Calmly ask both parties to lower their voices so you can understand the situation (Correct answer)
- Leave and tell them to resolve it themselves
- Issue tickets to both parties immediately
Correct answer: Calmly ask both parties to lower their voices so you can understand the situation
Restoring calm communication is the first step so you can gather accurate information and find a resolution.
Question 3: You stop a vehicle and find the driver appears intoxicated, but they pass the roadside sobriety test. What do you do?
- Let the driver go since they passed the test
- Request a breathalyzer or blood test if you still have reasonable grounds to suspect impairment (Correct answer)
- Arrest the driver based on appearance alone
- Follow the driver and stop them again in a few minutes
Correct answer: Request a breathalyzer or blood test if you still have reasonable grounds to suspect impairment
Field sobriety tests are not conclusive; reasonable grounds to suspect impairment justify requesting a breath sample.
Question 4: While off duty, you witness a shoplifting incident at a convenience store. What is the most appropriate action?
- Physically tackle and detain the shoplifter immediately
- Identify yourself as a police officer, observe, and call it in to on-duty officers (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since you are off duty
- Demand the store owner handle it themselves
Correct answer: Identify yourself as a police officer, observe, and call it in to on-duty officers
Off-duty officers should use their authority cautiously, identifying themselves and supporting on-duty response rather than acting unilaterally.
Question 5: A person experiencing a mental health crisis is standing on a bridge ledge. What is the most important initial action?
- Use force to pull them back immediately
- Establish calm verbal contact and request specialized crisis support (Correct answer)
- Keep distance and wait for someone else to arrive
- Loudly order them to step back from the ledge
Correct answer: Establish calm verbal contact and request specialized crisis support
Calm verbal engagement and calling for crisis resources are the safest approach to someone in a mental health emergency.
Question 6: You are writing a report and realize you made a factual error in a previous report you already submitted. What should you do?
- Ignore it and hope no one notices
- Notify your supervisor and file a supplementary report correcting the error (Correct answer)
- Delete and rewrite the original report without telling anyone
- Wait to see if the error causes a problem before acting
Correct answer: Notify your supervisor and file a supplementary report correcting the error
Report accuracy is essential to justice; errors must be corrected through proper channels as soon as discovered.
Question 7: During a search authorized by warrant, you find evidence of a crime not listed in the warrant. What should you do?
- Seize it immediately without any further steps
- Note its location, leave it in place, and seek an additional warrant if needed (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since the warrant does not cover it
- Remove it and decide later whether to document it
Correct answer: Note its location, leave it in place, and seek an additional warrant if needed
Plain view doctrine may allow seizure in some circumstances, but noting the item and seeking proper authorization ensures evidence is lawfully obtained.
APCAT Situational Judgement Scenarios 3
A complainant tells you they were assaulted but does not want to press charges.
How should you proceed?