FBAT Situational Judgment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You arrive at a domestic disturbance call and find both parties calm. The caller is no longer present. What is the most appropriate first action?
- Leave immediately since things are calm
- Identify yourself and ask both parties what happened (Correct answer)
- Arrest one of the parties as a precaution
- Call for backup before speaking to anyone
Correct answer: Identify yourself and ask both parties what happened
Identifying yourself and gathering information is the appropriate first step even when a scene is calm.
Question 2: While on patrol you observe a driver run a red light but no collision occurs. What should you do?
- Ignore it since no accident happened
- Initiate a traffic stop and address the violation (Correct answer)
- Follow the driver home and issue a summons later
- Call dispatch and have another unit handle it
Correct answer: Initiate a traffic stop and address the violation
Running a red light is a traffic violation that warrants a stop regardless of whether an accident occurred.
Question 3: A citizen approaches you and hands you an envelope of cash, saying it is a 'thank you' for your service. What should you do?
- Accept it as a gift since the amount is unknown
- Politely decline and explain officers cannot accept cash gifts (Correct answer)
- Take it and donate it to charity
- Refer the citizen to your supervisor
Correct answer: Politely decline and explain officers cannot accept cash gifts
Officers must decline cash gifts to maintain integrity and comply with department ethics policies.
Question 4: You are processing paperwork when a citizen rushes in reporting a crime in progress nearby. What is the most appropriate response?
- Tell the citizen to call 911 since you are busy
- Stop your paperwork and respond to assess the situation (Correct answer)
- Complete your paperwork first then investigate
- Ask the citizen to wait while you finish your current task
Correct answer: Stop your paperwork and respond to assess the situation
An in-progress crime is an immediate priority that supersedes routine paperwork.
Question 5: You stop a motorist and notice the driver matches the description of a suspect from an earlier robbery. What should you do?
- Release the driver since you only stopped them for a traffic issue
- Detain the driver, run their information, and notify dispatch of the potential match (Correct answer)
- Immediately arrest the driver for the robbery
- Follow the driver to gather more evidence before acting
Correct answer: Detain the driver, run their information, and notify dispatch of the potential match
Detaining the driver to verify identity and notifying dispatch is the proper procedure when there is reasonable suspicion.
Question 6: Your supervisor orders you to do something that you believe violates department policy. What should you do?
- Refuse immediately and walk away
- Follow the order without question since supervisors are always right
- Comply and say nothing to preserve the relationship
- Respectfully express your concern and document the order and your objection (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Respectfully express your concern and document the order and your objection
Officers have a professional obligation to raise concerns about potentially improper orders through appropriate channels.
FBAT Situational Judgment 1
You arrive at a domestic disturbance call and find both parties calm.
The caller is no longer present.
What is the most appropriate first action?