NTN Police Video-Based Situational Judgment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A video clip shows neighbors in a heated argument over a property line dispute. One neighbor is holding a garden hoe but has not made any threatening gestures. What is your priority?
- Immediately disarm the neighbor with the hoe using force
- Assess the threat level, keep distance, and use verbal commands to have the hoe set down before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Arrest both parties to prevent escalation
- Advise them to resolve it in court and leave
Correct answer: Assess the threat level, keep distance, and use verbal commands to have the hoe set down before proceeding
Assessing threat level and using verbal de-escalation to address the potential weapon before proceeding is the safest and most appropriate approach.
Question 2: You see a video of a traffic stop where the driver provides a license from another state. When you run the plate, the vehicle comes back as a rental. The driver seems nervous but cooperative. What do you do?
- Arrest the driver for being suspicious
- Complete standard checks, verify the rental agreement, and proceed based on findings (Correct answer)
- Search the vehicle immediately based on nervousness alone
- Release the driver without completing checks to avoid profiling
Correct answer: Complete standard checks, verify the rental agreement, and proceed based on findings
Nervousness alone is not probable cause; completing standard verification steps ensures a lawful and thorough stop.
Question 3: A video shows a woman flagging you down, crying, saying her husband hit her. Her husband comes out denying it. You see no visible injuries but the woman appears frightened. What should you do?
- Leave since there are no visible injuries to confirm the claim
- Separate the parties, interview each individually, document observations, and determine if probable cause exists for arrest (Correct answer)
- Arrest the husband immediately based solely on her statement
- Tell them to work it out privately and return if it escalates
Correct answer: Separate the parties, interview each individually, document observations, and determine if probable cause exists for arrest
Separating parties and conducting individual interviews is essential to gather facts and assess probable cause in domestic incidents.
Question 4: You watch a clip showing a person recording you with a cell phone during a lawful pedestrian stop. The person filming is not interfering with the stop. What do you do?
- Order them to stop filming or face arrest
- Continue the stop professionally, as citizens have the right to record police in public spaces (Correct answer)
- Confiscate the phone as a potential evidence issue
- End the stop early to avoid being recorded
Correct answer: Continue the stop professionally, as citizens have the right to record police in public spaces
Citizens have a First Amendment right to record police performing duties in public as long as they do not interfere.
Question 5: A video depicts a person experiencing a mental health crisis yelling incoherently in a park. They are not armed but are agitated and pacing. What is the BEST initial approach?
- Tackle and restrain them immediately to prevent injury
- Maintain a safe distance, use a calm tone, request a mental health crisis team, and avoid escalating language (Correct answer)
- Threaten arrest if they do not calm down immediately
- Ignore the situation since no crime is being committed
Correct answer: Maintain a safe distance, use a calm tone, request a mental health crisis team, and avoid escalating language
Mental health crises require de-escalation, safe distancing, and specialized resources rather than immediate physical intervention.
Question 6: You observe footage of a traffic collision with minor damage. One driver begins moving their vehicle before you have documented the scene. What is your MOST appropriate action?
- Arrest the driver for tampering with evidence
- Ask the driver to stop, explain you need to document the scene first, and complete your investigation before vehicles are moved (Correct answer)
- Allow it since the damage is minor
- Issue a citation for reckless driving
Correct answer: Ask the driver to stop, explain you need to document the scene first, and complete your investigation before vehicles are moved
Documenting the scene before vehicles are moved ensures accurate crash reconstruction and proper evidence preservation.
Question 7: A video shows you arriving at a welfare check where an elderly resident answers the door appearing confused and malnourished. They say they are fine and ask you to leave. What should you do?
- Leave immediately since they answered the door and said they are fine
- Respect their wishes completely and file no report
- Assess their capacity to make decisions, contact Adult Protective Services, and document observations (Correct answer)
- Force entry to conduct a full home inspection
Correct answer: Assess their capacity to make decisions, contact Adult Protective Services, and document observations
Signs of self-neglect and confusion may indicate diminished capacity, requiring APS notification and thorough documentation even if the person refuses help.
NTN Police Video-Based Situational Judgment 5
A video clip shows neighbors in a heated argument over a property line dispute.
One neighbor is holding a garden hoe but has not made any threatening gestures.
What is your priority?