NTN Police Video-Based Situational Judgment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are on patrol and observe a video clip showing two vehicles stopped at an intersection. The driver of one vehicle exits and begins shouting obscenities at the other driver, who remains in their car. What is your BEST first action?
- Immediately arrest the shouting driver for disorderly conduct
- Approach both parties calmly, separate them, and assess the situation (Correct answer)
- Call for backup before taking any action
- Drive past since no physical violence has occurred yet
Correct answer: Approach both parties calmly, separate them, and assess the situation
Calmly separating parties and assessing the situation de-escalates tension and allows you to gather facts before determining appropriate action.
Question 2: A video shows a store clerk waving you down urgently. Inside, a customer is yelling that they were shortchanged. The manager insists the transaction was correct. What should you do?
- Arrest the customer for causing a disturbance
- Side with the manager since they run the business
- Mediate the dispute, gather statements, and advise on civil remedies if no crime occurred (Correct answer)
- Tell both parties this is a civil matter and leave immediately
Correct answer: Mediate the dispute, gather statements, and advise on civil remedies if no crime occurred
A billing dispute is generally civil, but officers should mediate, gather information, and explain appropriate remedies before leaving.
Question 3: You view footage of a subject fleeing on foot after a minor traffic stop. You are alone and the subject runs into a dark alley. What is the MOST appropriate action?
- Chase the subject alone into the alley immediately
- Establish a perimeter, request backup, and contain the area (Correct answer)
- Cancel the stop since it was only a minor traffic violation
- Fire a warning shot to stop the subject
Correct answer: Establish a perimeter, request backup, and contain the area
Establishing a perimeter and waiting for backup maximizes officer safety while maintaining containment of the subject.
Question 4: A video depicts a juvenile, approximately 13 years old, shoplifting a snack item valued at under $5. The store owner wants the child arrested. What is your BEST course of action?
- Arrest the juvenile per the store owner's wishes
- Release the juvenile without any action since the value is minimal
- Contact a parent or guardian, document the incident, and consider a formal warning or juvenile diversion (Correct answer)
- Ignore the request since juveniles cannot be cited
Correct answer: Contact a parent or guardian, document the incident, and consider a formal warning or juvenile diversion
Juvenile diversion and parental notification are preferred for minor first offenses, balancing accountability with appropriate juvenile justice principles.
Question 5: You watch a clip where a visibly intoxicated person is stumbling near a busy roadway at night. They refuse to accept help and say they are fine. What should you do?
- Leave them since they are an adult who refused help
- Arrest them for public intoxication regardless of local policy
- Detain them for their own safety, contact medical services, and keep them from the roadway (Correct answer)
- Call a family member and wait indefinitely for someone to arrive
Correct answer: Detain them for their own safety, contact medical services, and keep them from the roadway
An intoxicated person near traffic presents an immediate danger to themselves, justifying a protective detention and medical evaluation.
Question 6: A video shows your partner using excessive force against a compliant suspect during an arrest. No supervisors are present. What is your MOST appropriate response?
- Do nothing to avoid conflict with your partner
- Intervene verbally to stop the force, then report the incident through proper channels (Correct answer)
- Join in to expedite the arrest
- Wait until after the arrest to privately tell your partner to stop next time
Correct answer: Intervene verbally to stop the force, then report the incident through proper channels
Officers have a duty to intervene when they witness excessive force and must report the incident through proper channels.
Question 7: You review footage showing a driver stopped for speeding who hands you a registration card from the glove box along with what appears to be a large amount of cash. They say 'keep it and we'll forget this happened.' What do you do?
- Accept it since the driver offered it freely
- Decline, inform the driver that accepting would be bribery, issue the citation, and report the offer (Correct answer)
- Accept only half the amount as a compromise
- Let the driver go with a warning to avoid a confrontation
Correct answer: Decline, inform the driver that accepting would be bribery, issue the citation, and report the offer
Accepting money in exchange for not enforcing the law constitutes bribery; officers must decline, document, and report such offers.
NTN Police Video-Based Situational Judgment 4
You are on patrol and observe a video clip showing two vehicles stopped at an intersection.
The driver of one vehicle exits and begins shouting obscenities at the other driver, who remains in their car.
What is your BEST first action?