Situational Judgment & Problem Solving Flashcards

You arrive at a domestic disturbance call and find a husband and wife arguing loudly. Neither appears injured, but both are extremely agitated. What is your first priority?

Answer: Separate the parties to calm the situation and assess injuries

Separating parties reduces immediate tension and allows each person to be assessed for injury without influence from the other.

While on patrol you observe a driver commit a minor traffic violation, but when you run the plate you find the car is reported stolen. The driver appears cooperative and unaware. What do you do?

Answer: Detain the driver and treat the stop as a high-risk vehicle stop

A stolen vehicle stop must be treated as high-risk regardless of the driver's apparent demeanor, for officer safety.

A citizen flags you down and reports witnessing a man enter a neighbor's house through a window. The homeowner is unknown to you. What is the best course of action?

Answer: Request backup and approach the residence to investigate a possible burglary in progress

A reported unlawful entry requires immediate investigation with backup to ensure officer safety and prevent a crime in progress.

You stop a vehicle for speeding and the driver tells you their brakes just failed and they are heading to a mechanic. How should you handle this?

Answer: Verify the brake issue, consider the safety hazard the vehicle poses, and assist as needed

A vehicle with failed brakes is a public safety hazard that must be addressed; verifying the claim and assisting protects everyone on the road.

During a foot pursuit of a robbery suspect, you lose sight of the subject in a residential neighborhood. What should you do?

Answer: Stop, broadcast the last known location and description, and set up a perimeter with assistance

Establishing a perimeter with additional units maximizes the chance of apprehension while maintaining officer safety and legal compliance.

A store owner tells you a teenager stole a candy bar and demands you arrest the youth. The teenager, age 13, is present and crying. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Assess the situation, contact a parent or guardian, and handle it appropriately under juvenile procedures

Juvenile offenders require a different process than adults, including contacting parents and following department juvenile protocols.

You are writing a report on a traffic accident when a passerby aggressively insists you are writing it wrong and demands to dictate the report to you. What do you do?

Answer: Explain that you will document facts as you observe and investigate them, and that they may provide a witness statement

Officers document facts objectively; a witness may provide their account through a separate statement, but cannot dictate official reports.