NYPD NYPD Situational Judgment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a vehicle search authorized by consent, the driver says 'I withdraw my consent' after you have opened the trunk but before finding anything. What should you do?
- Continue searching since the trunk is already open
- Stop the search immediately unless you have independent probable cause (Correct answer)
- Ask the driver to restate consent in writing before stopping
- Detain the driver until a warrant can be obtained
Correct answer: Stop the search immediately unless you have independent probable cause
Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and the search must stop unless another legal basis such as probable cause exists.
Question 2: You respond to a call and find a 10-year-old child alone at home with no adult present. The child says their parent 'will be back soon.' What do you do?
- Leave since the child appears safe and the parent is expected
- Remain with the child, attempt to contact the parent, and notify ACS if the parent cannot be reached promptly (Correct answer)
- Arrest the absent parent immediately
- Send the child to a neighbor's home and close the call
Correct answer: Remain with the child, attempt to contact the parent, and notify ACS if the parent cannot be reached promptly
A young child left alone requires you to ensure their safety by attempting to contact the parent and involving child protective services if necessary.
Question 3: A complainant who called 911 for a noise complaint refuses to provide their name and demands anonymity. What should you do?
- Refuse to take the complaint without a name
- Document an anonymous complaint and investigate accordingly (Correct answer)
- Reveal the caller's identity to the alleged violator
- Dismiss the complaint as unverifiable
Correct answer: Document an anonymous complaint and investigate accordingly
Anonymous complaints can still be investigated; officers should document and respond even without a named complainant.
Question 4: You are assigned to a fixed post and notice suspicious activity half a block away outside your designated area. What is the appropriate action?
- Abandon your post to investigate the activity
- Radio the dispatcher to report the suspicious activity so another officer can respond (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since it is outside your assigned area
- Ask a civilian nearby to watch your post while you investigate
Correct answer: Radio the dispatcher to report the suspicious activity so another officer can respond
You must stay at your assigned post and use radio to report suspicious activity so resources can be appropriately dispatched.
Question 5: A victim of a domestic incident declines to press charges and asks you to leave. What should you do?
- Leave immediately since the victim does not want help
- Document the incident, explain the legal process, and make an arrest if probable cause exists regardless of victim preference (Correct answer)
- Arrest both parties to sort it out at the precinct
- Issue a warning to the alleged abuser and close the call
Correct answer: Document the incident, explain the legal process, and make an arrest if probable cause exists regardless of victim preference
In domestic violence cases probable cause, not victim preference, determines whether an arrest is made; documentation is always required.
Question 6: You are conducting a traffic stop and the driver's license shows an address in another state but they claim to live in New York. What is a key concern?
- Arrest the driver for lying about their address
- Check if the driver has a New York registration or other NYC ties and consider issuing a violation for failure to obtain a NY license if applicable (Correct answer)
- Dismiss it as irrelevant since the license is valid
- Confiscate the out-of-state license
Correct answer: Check if the driver has a New York registration or other NYC ties and consider issuing a violation for failure to obtain a NY license if applicable
New York law requires residents to obtain a New York license after a specified period; verifying residency and issuing appropriate violations is the proper response.
Question 7: You are the second officer to arrive at a crime scene where your partner has already secured the area. A detective arrives and orders you to move the victim's belongings for a better photo angle, potentially disturbing evidence. What should you do?
- Follow the detective's orders since they outrank you
- Politely note your concern about disturbing evidence and ask the detective to document why the move is necessary (Correct answer)
- Refuse all orders from the detective
- Move the items and say nothing to avoid conflict
Correct answer: Politely note your concern about disturbing evidence and ask the detective to document why the move is necessary
Protecting evidence integrity is a core duty; respectfully raising the concern and requesting documentation protects both the investigation and the officer.
NYPD NYPD Situational Judgment 5
During a vehicle search authorized by consent, the driver says 'I withdraw my consent' after you have opened the trunk but before finding anything.
What should you do?