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Patrol and Traffic Operations Flashcards

7 cards from real DCJS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Patrol and Traffic Operations flashcards as text

  1. When an officer directs traffic manually at an intersection where signals have failed, which hand signal means 'stop' to approaching traffic from the front and rear?

    Answer: Arm extended horizontally with palm facing approaching traffic

    The standard stop signal is an arm extended horizontally toward the traffic being stopped, with the palm facing that traffic.

  2. Which of the following actions constitutes an unlawful pretextual stop under Virginia's updated case law guidance?

    Answer: Using a minor infraction as justification when the sole motivation is to investigate for unrelated criminal activity based on the driver's appearance

    While Whren v. United States permitted pretextual stops federally, Virginia law and department policies increasingly scrutinize stops where the real motivation is unrelated to the stated infraction.

  3. What is the legal standard required before an officer may conduct a pat-down (frisk) of a person during a Terry stop?

    Answer: Reasonable belief that the person is armed and dangerous

    Terry v. Ohio limits a pat-down to situations where the officer has specific, articulable facts creating a reasonable belief the person is armed and dangerous.

  4. Under Virginia Code, the speed limit in a school zone when children are present is:

    Answer: 20 mph

    Virginia Code § 46.2-873 establishes a 20 mph speed limit in school zones when indicated by posted signs and children are present.

  5. When completing a field sobriety test (FST), which three tests are recognized as standardized by NHTSA?

    Answer: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand

    NHTSA validates only the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand as standardized field sobriety tests with established reliability data.

  6. An officer responding to a domestic disturbance call should park the patrol vehicle:

    Answer: One or two houses away to avoid alerting the subject and allow tactical assessment

    Parking nearby but not directly in front reduces the risk of alerting a potentially armed subject while still allowing quick access to the scene.

  7. A Virginia officer issues a Uniform Summons for a traffic infraction. The summons serves as:

    Answer: Both a notice to appear in court and a charging document for the infraction

    Virginia's Uniform Summons is both the charging instrument and the court appearance notice for traffic infractions, replacing a physical arrest in most cases.