LEAB Situational Judgment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are dispatched to a mental health crisis call. The individual is armed with a knife and appears agitated but has not made any threatening moves. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Draw your firearm and order them to drop the knife immediately
- Create distance, call for crisis negotiation resources, and attempt calm verbal de-escalation (Correct answer)
- Retreat from the scene entirely until backup arrives
- Attempt to disarm the individual physically
Correct answer: Create distance, call for crisis negotiation resources, and attempt calm verbal de-escalation
De-escalation and specialized crisis resources reduce the likelihood of harm to the individual and officers.
Question 2: A motorist flags you down and tells you her purse was just snatched two blocks away. She provides a detailed description of the suspect. What should you do first?
- Take a full report at the station before broadcasting information
- Broadcast the suspect description immediately and begin searching the area (Correct answer)
- Ask the victim to identify the suspect from a photo lineup first
- File a report and wait for detectives to investigate
Correct answer: Broadcast the suspect description immediately and begin searching the area
Broadcasting a timely suspect description maximizes the chance of apprehension while the suspect is still in the area.
Question 3: Your supervisor gives you a direct order that you believe violates department policy but is not clearly illegal. What is the best response?
- Refuse to follow the order and file an immediate complaint
- Follow the order since you may be wrong, then raise your concern through proper channels afterward (Correct answer)
- Ignore the order without telling your supervisor
- Consult a union representative before taking any action
Correct answer: Follow the order since you may be wrong, then raise your concern through proper channels afterward
Following lawful orders while using proper channels to address policy concerns maintains chain of command and allows for legitimate resolution.
Question 4: You discover that a confidential informant you have used previously has been providing false information to obtain compensation. What should you do?
- Continue using the informant but discount their information
- Immediately terminate the relationship, document the discovery, and report it to your supervisor (Correct answer)
- Warn the informant privately and give them a second chance
- Do nothing to avoid disrupting ongoing investigations
Correct answer: Immediately terminate the relationship, document the discovery, and report it to your supervisor
Allowing a dishonest informant to continue compromises the integrity of investigations and exposes the department to legal liability.
Question 5: While patrolling, you witness a city council member commit a minor traffic violation. How should you handle this?
- Ignore the violation due to the person's status
- Stop and handle the situation the same way you would for any other citizen (Correct answer)
- Issue a warning instead of a ticket out of professional courtesy
- Report the violation to your supervisor and let them decide
Correct answer: Stop and handle the situation the same way you would for any other citizen
Equal application of the law regardless of social status is a fundamental principle of law enforcement integrity.
Question 6: You are processing a juvenile suspect for vandalism when the teen becomes very emotional and discloses they are being abused at home. What is your primary obligation?
- Complete the vandalism processing and note the disclosure in the report
- Immediately notify child protective services and follow mandatory reporting protocols (Correct answer)
- Contact the parents for permission to investigate the abuse claim
- Refer the juvenile to a school counselor
Correct answer: Immediately notify child protective services and follow mandatory reporting protocols
Mandatory reporting laws require law enforcement to immediately report suspected child abuse to child protective services.
Question 7: You are first on scene at a multi-vehicle accident with injuries. You are alone. What is the correct order of priority?
- Direct traffic, render first aid, then call for help
- Call for help and medical assistance, secure the scene, then render first aid if safe to do so (Correct answer)
- Render first aid immediately before doing anything else
- Document the scene before touching anything
Correct answer: Call for help and medical assistance, secure the scene, then render first aid if safe to do so
Calling for assistance ensures adequate resources respond while scene security prevents additional accidents and protects everyone involved.
LEAB Situational Judgment 2
You are dispatched to a mental health crisis call.
The individual is armed with a knife and appears agitated but has not made any threatening moves.
What is the most appropriate immediate action?