NTN Police Reading Comprehension Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'Bias-based policing, sometimes called racial profiling, occurs when an officer uses race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin as the primary basis for law enforcement decisions. Department policy strictly prohibits this practice. Officers may consider race or ethnicity only when it is part of a specific, credible suspect description provided by a victim or witness.' When may race be considered as a factor, according to the passage?
- Whenever an officer suspects criminal activity in a high-crime area
- When it is part of a specific, credible suspect description (Correct answer)
- Only after obtaining supervisor approval to do so
- It may never be considered under any circumstances
Correct answer: When it is part of a specific, credible suspect description
The passage allows race to be a factor only when 'it is part of a specific, credible suspect description provided by a victim or witness.'
Question 2: Read the passage: 'A field interview, also called a field contact or stop-and-talk, occurs when an officer voluntarily questions a person without detaining them. The person is free to leave at any time during a field interview. If the person is not free to leave, the encounter has escalated to a detention and legal requirements for reasonable suspicion apply.' According to the passage, what distinguishes a field interview from a detention?
- Whether the officer records the contact in writing
- Whether the person is in a high-crime area
- Whether the person is free to leave at any time (Correct answer)
- Whether the officer is in uniform or plainclothes
Correct answer: Whether the person is free to leave at any time
The passage states that in a field interview 'the person is free to leave at any time,' and that inability to leave elevates it to a detention.
Question 3: Read the passage: 'Chain of custody refers to the chronological documentation showing the collection, transfer, and storage of evidence. Every person who handles a piece of evidence must be logged. Gaps in the chain of custody can lead to evidence being challenged or excluded in court. Officers must sign and date evidence tags immediately upon collection.' What is a potential consequence of gaps in the chain of custody?
- The suspect must automatically be released from custody
- The collecting officer may face criminal charges
- Evidence may be challenged or excluded in court (Correct answer)
- A new investigation must be opened from the beginning
Correct answer: Evidence may be challenged or excluded in court
The passage states that 'gaps in the chain of custody can lead to evidence being challenged or excluded in court.'
Question 4: Read the passage: 'When writing an incident report, officers should use the active voice rather than the passive voice. Active voice clearly identifies who performed an action — for example, 'the suspect struck the victim' is preferable to 'the victim was struck.' Passive voice can obscure accountability and make reports harder to understand.' According to the passage, why is active voice preferred in reports?
- It makes reports shorter and saves department resources
- It is required by federal law for all law enforcement reports
- It clearly identifies who performed an action and avoids obscuring accountability (Correct answer)
- It is easier for computers to analyze during database searches
Correct answer: It clearly identifies who performed an action and avoids obscuring accountability
The passage states active voice 'clearly identifies who performed an action' and avoids obscuring accountability.
Question 5: Read the passage: 'Officers encountering a person in apparent mental health crisis should first ensure the safety of the individual and bystanders. Avoid escalating the situation through loud commands or rapid movements. Speaking calmly and giving the person time to process what is being said is more effective than issuing rapid commands. If available, a Crisis Intervention Team officer should be requested.' According to the passage, when should a Crisis Intervention Team officer be requested?
- Only after all other de-escalation methods have failed
- Before any other officer arrives on scene
- When available, upon encountering a person in mental health crisis (Correct answer)
- Only when the person has already become violent
Correct answer: When available, upon encountering a person in mental health crisis
The passage states a CIT officer 'should be requested' when available, without requiring other methods to fail first.
Question 6: Read the passage: 'Confidential informants are individuals who provide information to law enforcement in exchange for consideration, such as reduced charges or monetary compensation. Their identities must be protected to ensure their safety and continued usefulness. Officers must never reveal an informant's identity without authorization from a supervisor, as doing so could endanger the informant's life.' What does the passage say about revealing an informant's identity?
- Officers may reveal it to other officers investigating the same case
- It must never be revealed without supervisor authorization (Correct answer)
- It may be revealed in court when required by a judge
- Officers may reveal it after the case has been closed
Correct answer: It must never be revealed without supervisor authorization
The passage states officers must 'never reveal an informant's identity without authorization from a supervisor.'
Question 7: Read the passage: 'After an officer-involved shooting, the involved officer should be separated from witnesses and other officers as quickly as practicable. The officer should not discuss the incident with anyone other than their union representative or attorney until they have been advised of their rights. The scene should be treated as a crime scene, and the involved officer's weapon must be collected as evidence.' According to the passage, what should happen to the involved officer's weapon?
- It should be secured by the officer until the investigation concludes
- It must be collected as evidence (Correct answer)
- It should be returned to the department armory immediately
- It may only be collected if a crime is suspected
Correct answer: It must be collected as evidence
The passage states that 'the involved officer's weapon must be collected as evidence' following an officer-involved shooting.
NTN Police Reading Comprehension Skills 5
Read the passage: 'Bias-based policing, sometimes called racial profiling, occurs when an officer uses race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin as the primary basis for law enforcement decisions.
Department policy strictly prohibits this practice.
Officers may consider race or ethnicity only when it is part of a specific, credible suspect description provided by a victim or witness.' When may race be considered as a factor, according to the passage?