LASD - Los Angeles Sheriff Department Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following passage and answer the question.

'Department Policy 3-02/110.15, entitled 'Vehicle Pursuits,' strictly governs the circumstances under which a deputy may initiate or continue a vehicle pursuit. The primary consideration must always be the safety of the public and the deputies involved. A pursuit is justified only when the necessity of immediate apprehension of a suspect outweighs the level of danger created by the pursuit. Deputies must continuously re-evaluate the situation, considering factors such as traffic density, weather conditions, the nature of the original offense, and the identity of the suspect, if known. A supervisor's order to terminate a pursuit is final and must be obeyed immediately.'

According to this policy, which of the following is the most important factor for a deputy to consider when deciding to continue a pursuit?

Accepted Answer

The balance between the risk of the pursuit and the need for immediate capture

Answer

The correct answer is based on the sentence: 'A pursuit is justified only when the necessity of immediate apprehension of a suspect outweighs the level of danger created by the pursuit.' This directly states that the core consideration is weighing the danger against the need for apprehension. While the other factors are mentioned as considerations, this balance is presented as the primary justification for the pursuit itself.

Question 2

Read the following paragraph from an incident report and answer the question.

'Upon arrival at the scene of the reported disturbance at 1430 hours, I observed a broken window on the front of the residence. A witness, Ms. Jane Doe, stated that she heard a loud argument followed by the sound of glass shattering at approximately 1425 hours. She then observed a male individual, described as tall with a red shirt and blue jeans, running from the location and heading westbound on Elm Street. Ms. Doe could not provide a more detailed description as her view was partially obstructed. A preliminary search of the immediate area for the individual was conducted with negative results.'

Based on the report, which of the following statements is a fact, not an inference or a statement from a witness?

Accepted Answer

A search of the area did not locate the suspect.

Answer

The officer directly states, 'A preliminary search of the immediate area for the individual was conducted with negative results.' This is an action the officer took and its outcome, making it a fact from the report. The other options are based on the witness's statement (what she heard and saw) or are inferences that cannot be definitively proven by the text (e.g., that the man seen running was the one who broke the window).

Question 3

Read the following text and answer the question.

'The use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) by deputies is authorized after the deputy has received proper training and certification. An AED should be used on a person who is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The device analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. It is crucial, however, that before activating the shock, the deputy ensures all personnel are clear of the person to avoid accidental injury. Regular equipment checks are mandatory to ensure the AED is in proper working order.'

What is the main purpose of this passage?

Accepted Answer

To describe the function of an AED and the protocol for its use

Answer

The passage defines what an AED is, explains when it should be used, describes its function, and outlines key procedural steps and requirements (training, clearing personnel, equipment checks). This comprehensive overview supports the main purpose of describing the device and its proper use.

Question 4

Read the following scenario and answer the question.

'Property collected as evidence must be properly cataloged and secured in the station's evidence locker. Each item requires a separate evidence tag, detailing the case number, date, time of collection, location found, a brief description of the item, and the collecting deputy's name and serial number. The chain of custody, which is a log of every person who handles the evidence, begins the moment the item is collected. Any break in the chain of custody can compromise the evidence's admissibility in court.'

Deputy Miller recovers a knife at a crime scene. He places it in an evidence bag and writes the case number and date on the bag. He then gives it to Deputy Sanchez to transport back to the station. What crucial step was missed according to the text?

Accepted Answer

Filling out a complete evidence tag for the knife

Answer

The passage explicitly states that each item requires a separate evidence tag with several specific pieces of information (case number, date, time, location, description, and collector's info). Deputy Miller only wrote the case number and date on the bag, missing several required details for a complete tag. The other steps would happen later or are not mentioned as required in this passage.

Question 5

Read the following passage and answer the question.

'Community-Oriented Policing (COP) is a strategy that focuses on building ties and working closely with members of the community. The philosophy is that police and the public should be partners in the effort to control crime and disorder. This approach requires that deputies spend time out of their patrol cars, attend community meetings, and get to know the residents and their concerns. By fostering this trust, it is believed that residents will be more willing to share information about criminal activity, thereby making the community safer for everyone.'

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Accepted Answer

Increased communication between residents and police is a goal of COP.

Answer

The passage states that by building ties and getting to know residents' concerns, police hope residents will be 'more willing to share information.' This directly supports the idea that improved communication is a key objective of the COP strategy.

LASD - Los Angeles Sheriff Department Practice Test

LASD - Los Angeles Sheriff Department Practice Test

LASD - Los Angeles Sheriff Department Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers