NYPD Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NYPD facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. An officer earns $75,000 per year. What is the approximate monthly salary? → $6,250
2. During a DWI investigation, which standardized field sobriety test requires the subject to take nine heel-to-toe steps along a straight line, turn, and return? → Walk-and-Turn
3. Under the Miranda ruling, when must an officer advise a suspect of their rights? → Before conducting a custodial interrogation
4. To report a robbery in progress, use the proper code: → 10-30
5. If 3 officers are each assigned 12 cases, how many total cases are assigned? → 36
6. What does a flashing red traffic light signal require of a driver? → Come to a complete stop and yield, treating it as a stop sign
7. In New York State, a driver is charged with Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) at what blood alcohol content level? → 0.05% or higher but below 0.08%
8. What does a solid white edge line painted along the right side of a roadway indicate? → The boundary of the travel lane and edge of the pavement or shoulder
9. Which of the following claims about the auxiliary police baton is true? → Always carry the auxiliary police baton when assigned to rmp duty
10. When conducting a traffic stop, where should an officer position their patrol vehicle relative to the stopped vehicle? → Slightly offset to the left and behind the stopped vehicle
11. If a department has 35,000 officers and 14,000 are on patrol, what fraction are on patrol? → 2/5
12. What is a 'Terry stop,' as established by Terry v. Ohio? → A brief investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity
13. What is the posted speed limit in a New York City school zone when children are present? → 20 mph
14. Which set of documents must a driver present to an officer upon request during a traffic stop in New York? → Driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance
15. An officer's primary duty, when faced with multiple simultaneous issues of varying severity, is to prioritize which of the following? → Preservation of human life and safety.
16. A vehicle patrol uses 6 gallons of fuel to travel 180 miles. What is the fuel efficiency in miles per gallon? → 30 mpg
17. What does 'chain of custody' refer to in evidence handling? → The documented record tracking who collected, handled, and stored evidence
18. If 5 out of 25 reported crimes result in arrests, what is the arrest rate? → 20%
19. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures? → Fourth Amendment
20. A crime scene is 45 feet long and 20 feet wide. What is the area in square feet? → 900
21. When directing traffic at a busy intersection, where should an officer stand to be most effective? → In the center of the intersection
22. An officer responds to 4 calls in the first hour and 6 calls in the second hour. What is the average calls per hour? → 5
23. An officer's shift starts at 11:00 PM and ends at 7:00 AM. How many hours is the shift? → 8
24. A sergeant has a supply budget of $1,200. After spending $340 and then $480, how much remains? → $380
25. An officer stops a driver and discovers the driver's license has been suspended due to a prior DWI conviction. What is the most appropriate charge? → Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO)
26. Which of the following sentences has proper grammar? → Officer Jackson asked the women to describe the break-in at their apartment.
27. Under NYPD patrol guide procedures, what is a 'complaint report' (UF-61) used for? → Documenting a crime or alleged criminal incident reported to police
28. What is the 'exclusionary rule' in U.S. criminal law? → Evidence obtained through illegal searches or seizures cannot be used in court
29. An officer drives 120 miles total across 4 equal patrol routes. How long is each route? → 30 miles
30. An officer observes a vehicle with a broken taillight during a nighttime patrol. What is the appropriate initial action? → Conduct a traffic stop and issue a summons or warning