IPAT Situational Judgement 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are processing a crime report when a more urgent call comes in. What should you do?
- Inform your supervisor, safely secure the report, and respond to the urgent call (Correct answer)
- Ignore the urgent call and finish the report
- Respond to the urgent call and abandon the report
- Ask a colleague to handle both simultaneously
Correct answer: Inform your supervisor, safely secure the report, and respond to the urgent call
Urgent public safety matters take priority. You should inform your supervisor, secure your work appropriately, and respond. Abandoning the report without securing it risks evidence loss.
Question 2: A suspect provides a false name. Later you discover their real identity. What should you do?
- Update all records with the correct identity and note the false name given (Correct answer)
- Ignore the false name as you now have the real one
- Report it only if it becomes a court matter
- Arrest them immediately for the false name only
Correct answer: Update all records with the correct identity and note the false name given
All records must be updated with the accurate information. The fact that a false name was given is itself relevant evidence and must also be recorded.
Question 3: You attend a noise complaint at a house party. The residents are cooperative and agree to reduce the noise. What is the best outcome?
- Acknowledge their cooperation, advise them of potential consequences if noise continues, and leave (Correct answer)
- Issue fines regardless of their cooperation
- Arrest the host as a deterrent
- Stay at the scene for the rest of the night to monitor
Correct answer: Acknowledge their cooperation, advise them of potential consequences if noise continues, and leave
When the public cooperates and resolves the issue, the proportionate response is to acknowledge this, advise on consequences, and leave. Proportionality in policing avoids unnecessary escalation.
Question 4: A colleague is consistently late, affecting the team. What is the most appropriate response?
- Raise the issue with your supervisor if a direct conversation does not resolve it (Correct answer)
- Cover for them to protect the team
- Report them anonymously without speaking to them
- Ignore it as it is not your responsibility
Correct answer: Raise the issue with your supervisor if a direct conversation does not resolve it
The professional approach is to first address it directly (if appropriate) or escalate to a supervisor if the issue is affecting team performance. Ignoring it allows the problem to worsen.
Question 5: You receive a tip that a serious crime will occur at a specific location. What do you do?
- Report the intelligence to your supervisor immediately so a response can be planned (Correct answer)
- Go to the location alone to investigate
- Ignore the tip as it may be false
- Wait to see if the crime occurs before reporting
Correct answer: Report the intelligence to your supervisor immediately so a response can be planned
Intelligence must always be passed up the chain of command immediately. Acting alone on serious crime intelligence without backup is dangerous and procedurally incorrect.
Question 6: A vulnerable adult says they are being financially abused at home. What is your immediate duty?
- Take the report seriously, ensure their immediate safety, and refer to social services and relevant supports (Correct answer)
- Tell them it is a civil matter and they should contact a solicitor
- Advise them to speak to their family about it
- Take a note and tell them you will look into it later
Correct answer: Take the report seriously, ensure their immediate safety, and refer to social services and relevant supports
Vulnerable adult safeguarding requires immediate action: believe them, ensure safety, and connect them with social services and specialist support. Delay could cause further harm.
IPAT Situational Judgement 4
You are processing a crime report when a more urgent call comes in.
What should you do?