CritiCall Dispatcher Test Spelling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which spelling is CORRECT for the document that a dispatcher fills out after a call?
- incedent report
- incident report (Correct answer)
- insidant report
- incidant report
Correct answer: incident report
'Incident report' is the correct spelling — a foundational term in emergency dispatch documentation.
'Incident' comes from Latin 'incidens' (falling upon, happening). Common misspellings include 'incedent', 'incidant', and 'insidant'. Dispatchers use this term hundreds of times per shift in CAD entries and documentation. Misspelling it in records affects searchability, official documentation quality, and professional credibility.
Question 2: A dispatcher writes that a person appeared 'intoxicatted'. What is the correct spelling?
- intoxicatted
- intoxicated (Correct answer)
- intoxikated
- intoxecated
Correct answer: intoxicated
'Intoxicated' is the correct spelling — single 't' in the middle and ending in '-cated'.
'Intoxicated' derives from 'toxic' (from Latin 'toxicum', poison). The correct form uses a single 't' between the prefix and suffix. Double-'t' ('intoxicatted') is a common typo under time pressure. In dispatch records used as legal evidence, spelling errors in behavioral descriptors like this can complicate prosecution or defense.
Question 3: Choose the correctly spelled word: a dispatcher described the vehicle as moving in an 'erratic' manner. Which is the correct spelling?
- erratic (Correct answer)
- eratic
- erractic
- arratic
Correct answer: erratic
'Erratic' is correct — double 'r', single 'c', ending in '-atic'.
'Erratic' comes from Latin 'errare' (to wander). The double 'r' is essential — 'eratic' is the most common misspelling. In dispatch, 'erratic driving' is a specific behavioral descriptor that triggers certain response protocols (DUI check, potentially impaired driver). Misspelling it doesn't change the response but affects documentation quality.
Question 4: Which sentence contains correctly spelled dispatch terminology?
- The susspect fled the premices on foot.
- The suspect fled the premises on foot. (Correct answer)
- The suspect fled the premisis on foot.
- The susspect fled the premeses on foot.
Correct answer: The suspect fled the premises on foot.
'Suspect' (not 'susspect') and 'premises' (not 'premices/premisis/premeses') are the correct spellings.
'Suspect' has one 's' at the start. 'Premises' ends in '-ises' (plural of premise). Both are among the most frequently used words in dispatch reports and both have common misspellings. 'Premices', 'premesis', and 'premeses' are all incorrect. Legal documents quoting dispatch records must have correct spelling for evidentiary integrity.
Question 5: A dispatcher needs to document 'surveillance'. Which is the correct spelling?
- survailance
- surveillence
- surveillance (Correct answer)
- survelliance
Correct answer: surveillance
'Surveillance' is correct — note the 'veil' in the middle and the '-ance' ending.
'Surveillance' comes from French 'surveiller' (to watch over). The middle syllable contains 'veil' — a helpful memory aid. Common errors: 'survailance' (wrong vowel), 'surveillence' (wrong ending), 'survelliance' (wrong consonant order). In law enforcement dispatch, surveillance is frequently referenced in reports involving observation posts, CCTV requests, and investigative units.
Question 6: Which word is INCORRECTLY spelled in a dispatch context?
- dispatch
- perpetrator
- bystander
- assailent (Correct answer)
Correct answer: assailent
'Assailent' is incorrect. The correct spelling is 'assailant' — ending in '-ant', not '-ent'.
'Assailant' (one who assails or attacks) ends in '-ant', not '-ent'. 'Assailent' is one of the most common dispatch spelling errors. The other three words are correctly spelled: dispatch, perpetrator, and bystander are all standard, correctly spelled dispatch vocabulary. Correct spelling of legal and criminal justice terminology is especially important for evidentiary documentation.
Which spelling is CORRECT for the document that a dispatcher fills out after a call?