Mixed Deck — All NCJOSI2 Topics Flashcards

Which sentence contains a spelling error?

Answer: The incident occured at approximately 2200 hours.

The word 'occurred' is misspelled as 'occured'. This is a common error; words ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern often double the final consonant when a suffix is added.

An officer sees three individuals near a parked car. Person A wears a red jacket, Person B has a beard, and Person C is holding a bag. Which detail about Person C is MOST important for identification?

Answer: That they are holding a bag

The bag is a distinguishing item that aids in identifying Person C and may contain evidence relevant to an investigation.

Which of the following is an example of a felony?

Answer: Arson causing extensive property damage

A felony is a serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than a year or by death. Arson, especially when causing extensive property damage, is classified as a felony due to its severe nature and potential for significant harm. In contrast, speeding, petty theft, and trespassing are generally considered misdemeanors or minor infractions, carrying less severe penalties.

Over the last six months, an officer has noticed a trend of car break-ins in the mall parking lot. In almost every case, the break-in occurred between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on a Saturday, and the stolen items were shopping bags left visible on the car seat. What is the most logical conclusion?

Answer: A specific pattern of theft is targeting shoppers on Saturday afternoons.

The specific details (location, day, time, and target) form a clear pattern. This allows for the general conclusion that one or more thieves are specifically targeting shoppers who leave their purchases visible in their cars during peak shopping hours on Saturdays.

While on patrol, you observe a man walking quickly away from a bank. Which observation is MOST important to note?

Answer: A bulge under his jacket consistent with a weapon

A visible bulge consistent with a weapon is the most critical safety observation and requires immediate attention and appropriate response.

A fellow officer makes an inappropriate comment about a civilian. What is the most professional response?

Answer: Privately address the comment and remind them of professional standards.

Addressing an inappropriate comment privately is often the most professional initial response. This allows for a direct conversation about professional standards without publicly shaming the officer, which can damage morale. If the behavior persists or is severe, then reporting it to a supervisor would be the next appropriate step to ensure a respectful and professional work environment.

What is the first action an officer must take after noticing a potential break in the chain of custody for a piece of evidence? **Policy 401.5 Excerpt:** The chain of custody form must be initiated by the collecting officer and signed by every individual who subsequently handles the evidence. Access to the main evidence locker is restricted. Any suspected breach in the chain of custody must be reported to the Shift Supervisor immediately for documentation.

Answer: Report it to the Shift Supervisor.

The policy provides a clear directive for this situation. Any suspected breach must be reported to the Shift Supervisor immediately to ensure it is properly documented and investigated.

You are a police officer responding to a noise complaint. When you arrive, the residents are agitated and uncooperative. What should you do?

Answer: Calmly explain the reason for your visit and listen to their concerns.

Police officers have a duty to intervene and report any misconduct, especially the use of excessive force. Ignoring such behavior or waiting to address it privately compromises ethical standards and accountability within the force. Immediate intervention protects the suspect and upholds the integrity of law enforcement.

You observe a suspicious individual for approximately one minute before they flee. Which action is BEST to take immediately after?

Answer: Write down or dictate key details immediately

Recording key details immediately after an observation preserves accuracy before human memory begins to fade or distort.

Reference Chart: A bar chart shows arrests by shift for the first quarter: Day Shift - 120 arrests, Evening Shift - 150 arrests, Night Shift - 90 arrests. What was the total number of arrests made across all three shifts?

Answer: 360

To find the total number of arrests, you must add the number of arrests from each shift together. The calculation is 120 (Day) + 150 (Evening) + 90 (Night), which equals 360.

An officer stops a vehicle and observes the driver appears nervous, avoids eye contact, and has an air freshener hanging from the mirror. Taken together, these observations MOST likely suggest:

Answer: The driver may be attempting to conceal contraband

Nervousness, avoidance of eye contact, and use of air fresheners are recognized behavioral and environmental indicators that, in combination, may suggest an attempt to conceal contraband.

While scanning a crowd for suspicious activity, an officer notices someone who avoids eye contact and changes direction when the officer approaches. What should the officer primarily note?

Answer: The individual's behavior pattern

Behavior patterns such as avoiding eye contact and redirecting away from the officer are primary indicators of suspicious activity worth documenting and monitoring.

Organize the following events of a suspect arrest and booking into the most logical sequence. (1) The suspect was transported to the county jail. (2) I placed the suspect in handcuffs after advising him he was under arrest. (3) The suspect's personal property was inventoried and secured. (4) I read the suspect his Miranda Rights.

Answer: 2, 4, 1, 3

The arrest itself (handcuffing) comes first. Immediately following the arrest, Miranda Rights must be read. Then, the suspect is transported, and the booking process (inventorying property) occurs at the facility.

Look at this series: 90, 83, 77, 72, 68, __. What number should come next?

Answer: 65

The pattern is to subtract a sequentially decreasing number from each term. First, 7 is subtracted (90-7=83), then 6 is subtracted (83-6=77), then 5 (77-5=72), then 4 (72-4=68). The next step is to subtract 3, so 68-3=65.

Read the following report and identify the main problem: 'A homeowner reports that upon returning from vacation, she found her back door pried open. Inside, her television and some jewelry were missing. She states that she has a security camera, but the wires to it appear to have been cut.'

Answer: A residential burglary has occurred.

The combination of forced entry (pried door), stolen items (TV, jewelry), and deliberate disabling of security measures (cut wires) are all classic elements of a residential burglary. This is the specific crime that has been committed and needs to be investigated.

Using the incident report table, which month had the lowest number of reported Vandalism incidents?

Answer: March

Locate the 'Vandalism' row in the table. Compare the values for each month: January (30), February (35), and March (28). The lowest of these three values is 28, which occurred in March.

During foot patrol, you notice a broken window in a business that was intact on your previous patrol. What should you do FIRST?

Answer: Immediately note the time, location, and condition before taking further action

Immediately documenting the time, location, and condition establishes the factual baseline needed for any subsequent investigation or report.

You are offered a small gift by a grateful citizen after assisting them. What should you do?

Answer: Politely decline and explain that you are not allowed to accept gifts.

Law enforcement officers are typically prohibited from accepting gifts, even small ones, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, favoritism, or potential for bribery. Politely declining and explaining this policy maintains transparency and upholds the ethical standards of the profession. This practice ensures public trust and prevents conflicts of interest.

During a traffic stop, the driver becomes argumentative and refuses to provide identification. What is your best course of action?

Answer: Calmly explain the legal requirement and consequences of noncompliance.

In domestic disturbance cases, even if the injured party refuses to press charges, officers have a duty to document the injuries and gather evidence. This is crucial for several reasons, including potential future prosecution, ensuring the victim's safety, and complying with mandatory reporting laws for domestic violence incidents. Leaving the scene without documentation could put the victim at further risk.

Reference Map: North-South streets are Oak Ave, Maple St, and Elm St (from west to east). East-West streets are 1st St, 2nd St, and 3rd St (from north to south). The Police Station is at Oak Ave & 1st St. The Courthouse is at Maple St & 2nd St. The Bank is at Elm St & 3rd St. The Park is at Oak Ave & 3rd St. What is the most direct driving route from the Police Station to the Bank?

Answer: East on 1st St to Elm St, then south on Elm St to 3rd St.

The Police Station is at the northwest corner (Oak & 1st) and the Bank is at the southeast corner (Elm & 3rd). The most direct route involves traveling two blocks east and two blocks south. Traveling south on Oak Ave to 3rd St, then east on 3rd St to Elm St covers this distance efficiently.