Police Officer Police Officer Patrol Procedures and Officer Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a vehicle search, officers discover a locked box in the trunk. Under the automobile exception, officers may:
- Only open containers that are in plain sight
- Open the locked box if probable cause supports the search extends to it (Correct answer)
- Not open any locked containers without a warrant
- Open any container regardless of probable cause
Correct answer: Open the locked box if probable cause supports the search extends to it
Under the automobile exception, if probable cause supports the overall vehicle search, it extends to all containers — including locked boxes — that may contain the items sought.
Question 2: A citizen approaches an officer and voluntarily hands over a bag of marijuana. The officer must:
- Return it because no arrest warrant exists
- Accept it, document the encounter, and follow department evidence procedures (Correct answer)
- Conduct a field test before accepting it
- Refuse to accept contraband without a chain-of-custody form
Correct answer: Accept it, document the encounter, and follow department evidence procedures
Officers must accept contraband voluntarily surrendered by citizens and follow proper evidence handling and documentation procedures.
Question 3: What is the recommended approach when an officer encounters a barricaded subject with no immediate hostage or threat?
- Immediately breach and clear the building
- Establish a perimeter, request specialized units, and attempt negotiation (Correct answer)
- Issue one verbal warning then use force
- Allow the subject to leave voluntarily
Correct answer: Establish a perimeter, request specialized units, and attempt negotiation
A barricaded subject with no immediate threat calls for a containment-and-negotiate approach: secure the perimeter, call for specialized resources, and attempt crisis negotiation.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the 'Use of Force Continuum'?
- A mandate to always use the least force possible regardless of threat level
- A framework guiding officers to use force proportional to the threat level (Correct answer)
- A policy requiring written approval before any force is used
- A legal rule that prohibits force once a suspect is handcuffed
Correct answer: A framework guiding officers to use force proportional to the threat level
The Use of Force Continuum provides officers a framework to match their level of force to the level of resistance or threat presented by a subject.
Question 5: An officer observes a suspect drop a clear plastic bag containing a white substance before the officer reaches them. The bag may be seized under:
- The inventory search doctrine
- The plain view doctrine (Correct answer)
- Exigent circumstances
- Consent search authority
Correct answer: The plain view doctrine
The plain view doctrine allows officers to seize contraband or evidence that is clearly visible without a warrant, provided the officer is lawfully in the position to observe it.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'welfare check' call?
- To verify that a citizen paid their taxes
- To check on the well-being of a person who may be in danger or incapacitated (Correct answer)
- To inspect a business for code violations
- To verify the identity of a suspicious person
Correct answer: To check on the well-being of a person who may be in danger or incapacitated
A welfare check (also called a well-being check) is dispatched when someone requests that police check on a person who may be injured, ill, or otherwise unable to care for themselves.
Police Officer Police Officer Patrol Procedures and Officer Safety 2
During a vehicle search, officers discover a locked box in the trunk.
Under the automobile exception, officers may: