DPSST Community Relations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a DPSST-certified officer's patrol, a youth group expresses distrust of police. The officer's MOST effective response is to:
- Warn the youth about the consequences of resisting officers
- Engage in informal conversation to build rapport and listen to concerns (Correct answer)
- Immediately contact a supervisor
- Advise the youth to attend a citizen police academy
Correct answer: Engage in informal conversation to build rapport and listen to concerns
Informal, respectful engagement with youth is a proven method for building trust and reducing tension over time.
Question 2: The 'contact hypothesis' in community relations suggests that:
- Every contact between police and citizens creates fear
- Positive intergroup contact reduces prejudice and improves relations over time (Correct answer)
- Contact should be minimized to prevent conflict
- Only formal contacts count toward building trust
Correct answer: Positive intergroup contact reduces prejudice and improves relations over time
The contact hypothesis holds that under the right conditions, increased positive interaction reduces bias and improves community relations.
Question 3: A community member films an officer making a lawful arrest. Under Oregon law and DPSST standards, the officer should:
- Order the person to stop recording and leave
- Seize the device as potential evidence
- Allow the recording while ensuring the person does not interfere with the arrest (Correct answer)
- Ask the person to delete the footage after the arrest is complete
Correct answer: Allow the recording while ensuring the person does not interfere with the arrest
Citizens have a First Amendment right to record police in public spaces as long as they do not physically interfere with law enforcement activities.
Question 4: A neighborhood watch program is MOST effective when:
- Residents act as informants who report on all neighbor activity
- Police direct all activities and residents simply follow orders
- It is led by community members with police serving as partners and resources (Correct answer)
- It focuses exclusively on identifying undocumented immigrants
Correct answer: It is led by community members with police serving as partners and resources
Resident-led neighborhood watch programs are more sustainable and trusted when police act as supportive partners rather than controllers.
Question 5: Officers responding to a domestic disturbance where a victim appears reluctant to cooperate should:
- Arrest both parties and sort it out at the station
- Respect the victim's wishes and take no further action
- Explain the victim's options without pressure while thoroughly documenting the scene (Correct answer)
- Immediately arrest the suspected perpetrator without gathering information
Correct answer: Explain the victim's options without pressure while thoroughly documenting the scene
Trauma-informed responses involve providing options, documenting the scene, and respecting victim autonomy while fulfilling legal obligations.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of 'guardian' rather than 'warrior' mindset in policing?
- Treating every contact as a potential threat
- Viewing the community as people to protect and serve collaboratively (Correct answer)
- Prioritizing tactical dominance in all encounters
- Using maximum force early to gain control
Correct answer: Viewing the community as people to protect and serve collaboratively
The guardian mindset emphasizes service, protection, and partnership with the community rather than a combat-oriented approach.
Question 7: When an officer encounters a homeless individual who is not committing a crime, the BEST community-oriented approach is to:
- Order the individual to move along immediately
- Connect the individual with available social services and resources (Correct answer)
- Issue a trespass warning
- Detain the individual for field interrogation
Correct answer: Connect the individual with available social services and resources
Connecting individuals experiencing homelessness to services addresses underlying needs and reduces repeated enforcement contacts.
DPSST Community Relations 3
During a DPSST-certified officer's patrol, a youth group expresses distrust of police.
The officer's MOST effective response is to: