OACP Logical Reasoning and Analysis 3

Question 1

A commander uses the following reasoning: 'Crime went down after we increased patrols, therefore the patrols caused the decrease.' Which logical error is present?

Accepted Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc is the fallacy of assuming causation from temporal sequence alone.

Question 2

Officers respond to a neighborhood where residents report increased drug activity. Which analytical approach is most appropriate before deploying resources?

Accepted Answer

Cross-reference complaints with existing crime data and field intelligence to validate the trend

Answer

Cross-referencing multiple data sources ensures resource deployment is evidence-based rather than reactive.

Question 3

The following sequence is presented: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, __. What is the next number?

Accepted Answer

37

Answer

The differences are 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 — consecutive odd numbers — so the next number is 26 + 11 = 37.

Question 4

A report states: 'Most officers who scored highest on the OACP exam also scored highest in situational judgment.' What type of relationship does this most likely describe?

Accepted Answer

Correlation

Answer

The statement describes two variables trending together, which is a correlational relationship, not proven causation.

Question 5

If no violent crimes were committed in Zone A last month, and the report says Zone A had the lowest crime overall, which of the following is a valid logical inference?

Accepted Answer

Zone A may have had non-violent crimes while still having the lowest overall crime count

Answer

The absence of violent crime does not preclude the existence of non-violent offenses in the same zone.

OACP - Ontario Association of Chief of Police Practice Test

OACP - Ontario Association of Chief of Police Practice Test

OACP Logical Reasoning and Analysis 3