Police Work Mathematics Flashcards

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?

Answer: 22.5 minutes

To solve this, use the formula Time = Distance / Speed. Time = 21 miles / 56 mph = 0.375 hours. To convert hours to minutes, multiply by 60. So, 0.375 * 60 = 22.5 minutes.

An officer works a shift from 21:00 (9:00 PM) on Tuesday to 05:30 (5:30 AM) on Wednesday. The officer took a 45-minute meal break. How many hours and minutes did the officer actually work?

Answer: 7 hours, 45 minutes

First, calculate the total time elapsed. From 21:00 to midnight is 3 hours. From midnight to 05:30 is 5.5 hours. The total shift duration is 3 + 5.5 = 8.5 hours, or 8 hours and 30 minutes. Then, subtract the 45-minute break: 8 hours 30 minutes - 45 minutes = 7 hours and 45 minutes.

A rectangular crime scene measures 60 feet in length and 35 feet in width. What is the total perimeter of the scene that must be secured with police tape?

Answer: 190 feet

The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2(length + width) or P = 2l + 2w. Using this formula: P = 2(60) + 2(35) = 120 + 70 = 190 feet. The answer '2,100 square feet' represents the area, not the perimeter.

An officer is logging evidence from a narcotics seizure. The total weight of the confiscated substance is 2,450 grams. How much is this in kilograms?

Answer: 2.45 kg

There are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram. To convert grams to kilograms, you divide the number of grams by 1,000. So, 2,450 / 1,000 = 2.45 kilograms.

During a burglary investigation, an officer inventories the stolen items: a television valued at $1,250, two laptops valued at $780 each, and jewelry with a total value of $2,150. What is the total value of the stolen property?

Answer: $4,960

First, calculate the total value of the laptops: 2 * $780 = $1,560. Then, add the value of all the items together: $1,250 (TV) + $1,560 (laptops) + $2,150 (jewelry) = $4,960.

An officer's patrol vehicle gets 18 miles per gallon. The fuel tank has a capacity of 21 gallons. If the officer starts with a full tank and drives 252 miles during a shift, how many gallons of fuel are left in the tank?

Answer: 7 gallons

First, determine how many gallons of fuel were used. Divide the total miles driven by the car's miles per gallon: 252 miles / 18 mpg = 14 gallons used. Next, subtract the gallons used from the tank's total capacity: 21 gallons - 14 gallons = 7 gallons remaining.