NPOST Police Test Problem-Solving Scenarios Questions and Answers

Question 1

An officer on patrol is concluding a non-injury traffic stop when dispatch issues three new calls simultaneously: a silent burglar alarm at a downtown jewelry store, a report of two men shouting at each other in a public park, and a noise complaint about a loud party in a residential area.
Which call should the officer prioritize responding to next?

Accepted Answer

The silent burglar alarm at the jewelry store.

Answer

The noise complaint at the residential party.

Answer

The two men shouting in the public park.

Answer

Wait for a supervisor to assign a priority call.

Question 2

Officer Miller pulls over a driver for speeding. As he approaches, he recognizes the driver as an off-duty officer from a neighboring police department. The off-duty officer apologizes and asks if Officer Miller can give him 'a break.' What is the most ethical and professional action for Officer Miller to take?

Accepted Answer

Issue a citation for the speeding violation, just as he would for any other citizen.

Answer

Let the off-duty officer go with a friendly verbal warning as a 'professional courtesy.'

Answer

Call his own supervisor to the scene to make the decision.

Answer

Pretend to write a citation but then tell the officer he's letting him go.

Question 3

An officer is dispatched to a welfare check on an elderly man after a neighbor reports not seeing him for several days. The officer knocks on the door and gets no response, but can hear a faint television sound inside. The doors are locked, and a window is slightly ajar. Which of the following is the most reasonable next step?

Accepted Answer

Enter the residence through the ajar window to check on the man's well-being.

Answer

Leave the scene and file a report that no contact was made.

Answer

Wait outside for a family member with a key to arrive.

Answer

Obtain a search warrant before making entry.

Question 4

An officer responds to a convenience store where the clerk reports a group of teenagers is loitering near the entrance, making customers feel uncomfortable, but not committing any specific crime. What is the best course of action based on a community policing philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Engage the teenagers in a conversation to understand why they are there and ask them to move away from the entrance.

Answer

Order the teenagers to disperse immediately under threat of arrest for trespassing.

Answer

Ignore the situation as no crime has been committed.

Answer

Arrest the most vocal teenager to make an example for the others.

Question 5

An officer receives an anonymous tip that a resident at 123 Maple Street is growing marijuana in their basement. The tip provides no other specific details. What is the legally required next step for the officer to pursue the investigation?

Accepted Answer

Conduct independent police work to find evidence that corroborates the tip.

Answer

Immediately obtain a search warrant based on the anonymous tip.

Answer

Go to 123 Maple Street and demand to be let in to search the basement.

Answer

Dismiss the tip entirely because anonymous sources are not credible.

Question 6

An officer responds to a verbal dispute between two neighbors. Neighbor A is angry because Neighbor B's tree branches hang over his fence and drop leaves into his pool. Neighbor B is angry because Neighbor A plays loud music late at night. Both are yelling at each other in the street. From a problem-solving perspective, what is the officer's primary goal?

Accepted Answer

Mediate the dispute, calm both parties, and suggest they seek a civil resolution.

Answer

Arrest both neighbors for disorderly conduct.

Answer

Determine which neighbor is legally 'right' about the tree and the music.

Answer

Issue a citation to Neighbor A for the music and tell Neighbor B to trim his tree.