California POST Test Vocabulary in Context 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A supervisor told the officer that the complaint was 'unfounded.' Unfounded most nearly means:
- serious and requiring immediate investigation
- supported by substantial evidence
- lacking basis in fact or reality (Correct answer)
- filed by a credible witness
Correct answer: lacking basis in fact or reality
Unfounded means having no foundation in fact; not based on evidence.
Question 2: The officer documented that the individual was 'non-compliant.' Non-compliant means the person was:
- following all lawful orders
- unaware of the officer's presence
- refusing to obey lawful commands (Correct answer)
- cooperating with the investigation
Correct answer: refusing to obey lawful commands
Non-compliant means failing or refusing to comply with instructions or rules.
Question 3: The field training officer noted that the recruit 'verbalized' commands clearly. In this context, verbalized means:
- wrote commands in a log
- communicated using hand signals
- expressed commands in spoken words (Correct answer)
- relayed commands through dispatch
Correct answer: expressed commands in spoken words
To verbalize means to express something in words, particularly spoken words.
Question 4: The report stated the officer acted with 'discretion.' In law enforcement, discretion refers to:
- following written policy without deviation
- the authority to make judgment-based decisions (Correct answer)
- using force as the first option
- deferring all decisions to a supervisor
Correct answer: the authority to make judgment-based decisions
Discretion in law enforcement means the authority to make choices based on individual judgment within established guidelines.
Question 5: The officer's log noted the suspect was 'agitated.' Agitated most nearly means:
- sleepy and unresponsive
- nervously excited and disturbed (Correct answer)
- calm and cooperative
- intoxicated beyond awareness
Correct answer: nervously excited and disturbed
Agitated means feeling or appearing troubled, nervous, or upset.
Question 6: A policy memo used the word 'mandatory.' Mandatory most nearly means:
- optional and left to individual choice
- suggested as a best practice
- required by authority; not optional (Correct answer)
- temporarily suspended
Correct answer: required by authority; not optional
Mandatory means required by law or rules; compulsory.
Question 7: The prosecutor described the officer's testimony as 'credible.' Credible most nearly means:
- rehearsed and memorized
- able to be believed; convincing (Correct answer)
- exaggerated and unreliable
- legally inadmissible
Correct answer: able to be believed; convincing
Credible means able to be believed; offering reasonable grounds for being trusted.
California POST Test Vocabulary in Context 5
A supervisor told the officer that the complaint was 'unfounded.' Unfounded most nearly means: