NTN POLICE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NTN POLICE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does 'writing in the third person' mean in the context of police reports? → Referring to yourself as 'the officer' or 'this officer' rather than 'I'
2. An officer drives 12 miles to a call at an average speed of 48 mph (with emergency lights). How many minutes does the response take? → 15 minutes
3. An officer on patrol notices a known gang member standing on a corner. This observation alone: → Does not justify a stop without additional articulable facts
4. What is impartiality? → Treat everyone fairly
5. During a shift briefing, you hear information from another unit that contradicts what you are about to do in the field. What is the appropriate action? → Bring the contradiction to your supervisor's attention before proceeding
6. Which of the following is NOT a recognized exception to the warrant requirement? → Officer curiosity or general investigation
7. A department seized 3.5 pounds of marijuana during a search. There are 453.6 grams in one pound. Approximately how many grams of marijuana were seized? → 1,588 grams
8. The crime of 'burglary' traditionally requires which key element? → Unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime inside
9. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement? → The captain, along with the two lieutenants, is reviewing the case file.
10. Which of the following is the primary reason for writing an incident report in chronological order? → To create a clear and logical sequence of events that is easy for others to understand.
11. Under the Fifth Amendment's Double Jeopardy Clause, a person cannot be: → Tried twice for the same offense by the same sovereign
12. Which offense is typically classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor? → Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury
13. A officer responds to a noise complaint at 11:45 PM and clears the scene at 12:30 AM the next day. How long was the officer on scene? → 45 minutes
14. What is the purpose of a 'felony traffic stop' (high-risk stop) procedure? → To safely control a vehicle stop when the occupants are believed to be armed or dangerous
15. What should you do when encountering an unfamiliar word? → Use context clues
16. During a DUI investigation, what is the purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)? → To provide observable clues of impairment that establish probable cause for a DUI arrest
17. What should you do if you see a coworker violate protocol? → Report using procedure
18. Identify the grammatical error in the following sentence: 'Neither the officer nor the witnesses was able to identify the vehicle.' → 'was' should be 'were'
19. During a vehicle pursuit, a supervisor orders the officer to terminate the chase. The officer should: → Immediately comply and discontinue the pursuit
20. How to improve grammar in reports? → Proofread reports
21. An officer is drafting a narrative for a theft report. Which of the following phrases should be avoided to maintain a professional and objective tone? → "It was obvious the suspect was lying about his involvement."
22. What is a good way to handle a complaint? → Listen calmly
23. An officer writes: 'Me and my partner responded to the scene.' How should this sentence be corrected? → 'Me and my partner' should be 'My partner and I'
24. Which word choice is most appropriate in a formal police report? → The responding officer instructed the individual to halt.
25. What is the most important factor an officer should communicate when calling for backup? → Location, nature of the situation, and any known hazards
26. What does objectivity in writing mean? → Just the facts
27. How should you react to criticism? → Use it constructively
28. A driver is stopped for speeding. The officer smells alcohol on the driver's breath. The appropriate next step is to: → Conduct a field sobriety investigation for possible DUI/DWI
29. What is a run-on sentence? → Improperly joined sentences
30. An officer responds to a call that is 21 miles away. If the officer travels at an average speed of 56 mph, how many minutes will it take to arrive on scene? → 22.5 minutes