NYPD Written Expression Flashcards

An officer must arrange these events in chronological order for a report. Which sequence is correct? 1. Backup arrived. 2. Dispatch received the 911 call. 3. Officers handcuffed the suspect. 4. Officers arrived at the scene.

Answer: 2, 4, 1, 3

The logical order is: 911 call → officers arrive → backup arrives → suspect handcuffed.

Which word is spelled correctly?

Answer: Occurrence

'Occurrence' is spelled with double 'c' and double 'r.'

Read the following and identify the best summary: 'At 11:45 PM, a store clerk at 42 Main Street called 911 to report that a man in a black hoodie had entered the store, brandished a knife, and demanded cash from the register before fleeing on foot northbound on Main Street.'

Answer: A store clerk was robbed at knifepoint at 42 Main Street at 11:45 PM; the suspect fled north on Main Street.

Option B includes all key facts: location, time, method, and direction of flight.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Answer: The suspect, along with two accomplices, was arrested.

'Along with two accomplices' is a parenthetical phrase; the true subject 'suspect' is singular, requiring 'was.'

Officer Davis's report reads: 'The complainant stated that she seen the suspect at the corner.' What is the error?

Answer: 'Seen' should be 'saw' — incorrect verb form

'Seen' requires a helping verb (e.g., 'had seen'); the simple past form is 'saw.'

Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

Answer: The officer's reports were filed on time, but the sergeant's wasn't.

'Officer's' (singular possessive) and 'sergeant's' (singular possessive) and 'wasn't' (contraction) are all correct.

Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The ___ evidence was admitted in court.'

Answer: defendant's

Since there is one defendant, the singular possessive 'defendant's' is correct.