APCAT Situational Judgement Scenarios 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are called to a convenience store where the owner suspects a regular customer of shoplifting but has no video evidence. What is the correct approach?
- Arrest the customer based on the owner's suspicion
- Speak with the owner about improving their evidence collection and advise on options (Correct answer)
- Tell the owner there is nothing you can do and leave
- Issue a trespass notice to the customer without investigation
Correct answer: Speak with the owner about improving their evidence collection and advise on options
Without evidence, an arrest is not justified; helping the owner understand their options and how to gather evidence is appropriate.
Question 2: A driver you have stopped for speeding begins to cry and explains they are rushing to the hospital because a family member is critically ill. How should you respond?
- Issue the full ticket without acknowledging the situation
- Verify the claim if possible, use discretion in your enforcement decision, and offer assistance such as an escort (Correct answer)
- Let them go without any record of the stop
- Detain them until you verify their story
Correct answer: Verify the claim if possible, use discretion in your enforcement decision, and offer assistance such as an escort
Officers have discretion and can balance enforcement with compassion, including offering assistance in genuine emergencies.
Question 3: You observe a fellow officer writing a report that contains information you know to be false. What is the most appropriate action?
- Stay out of it to maintain team cohesion
- Speak to the officer directly first, and if unresolved, report it to a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Alter your own report to match theirs
- Report it anonymously without speaking to the officer
Correct answer: Speak to the officer directly first, and if unresolved, report it to a supervisor
Directly addressing the issue first allows for correction while escalating to a supervisor ensures accountability if the officer refuses.
Question 4: You are patrolling alone and observe what appears to be a drug transaction between two individuals in an alley. What should you do first?
- Immediately confront both individuals without backup
- Observe carefully, note descriptions, and request backup before approaching (Correct answer)
- Call the station and wait in your vehicle until backup arrives without observing further
- Ignore it and continue patrol since you are alone
Correct answer: Observe carefully, note descriptions, and request backup before approaching
Officer safety requires calling for backup before approaching a potentially dangerous situation, while continuing to observe preserves evidence.
Question 5: A citizen files a complaint that you used unnecessary force during an arrest last week. You believe your actions were justified. What should you do?
- Contact the complainant and try to convince them to withdraw the complaint
- Cooperate fully with the internal review process and provide your account through proper channels (Correct answer)
- Deny everything and instruct your partner to say nothing
- Submit your report immediately and refuse any further questioning
Correct answer: Cooperate fully with the internal review process and provide your account through proper channels
Full cooperation with the professional standards process demonstrates accountability and allows the facts to be properly assessed.
Question 6: While patrolling, you notice a child alone and crying near a busy road. The child cannot say where their parents are. What is your first action?
- Leave the child and continue patrol, expecting a parent to return
- Ensure the child's immediate safety, attempt to locate parents, and contact child protective services if needed (Correct answer)
- Take the child to the police station immediately without attempting to locate parents
- Ask nearby bystanders to watch the child while you continue patrol
Correct answer: Ensure the child's immediate safety, attempt to locate parents, and contact child protective services if needed
The child's safety is the immediate priority, followed by systematic efforts to reunite them with parents and involving child services if necessary.
Question 7: You are dispatched to a report of a break-and-enter in progress. When you arrive, the front door is open but you see no one inside. What is the most appropriate action?
- Enter and search the premises immediately alone
- Secure the perimeter, wait for backup, and then conduct a systematic search (Correct answer)
- Assume the intruder has left and do a quick walk-through alone
- Call the homeowner before entering
Correct answer: Secure the perimeter, wait for backup, and then conduct a systematic search
Securing the perimeter and waiting for backup protects officer safety during a potentially occupied building search.
APCAT Situational Judgement Scenarios 4
You are called to a convenience store where the owner suspects a regular customer of shoplifting but has no video evidence.
What is the correct approach?