Police Officer Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Police Officer facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is an example of de-escalation during a tense confrontation? → Speaking calmly, maintaining a non-threatening posture, and giving the person space
2. A crime scene is rectangular and measures 15 feet by 20 feet. What is the total area of the crime scene? → 300 square feet
3. A police department has 240 officers and needs to staff 3 patrol shifts equally. How many officers will be assigned per shift? → 80
4. A terrorist organization commandeers an aircraft and alters its trajectory. → hijacking
5. A citizen approaches an officer and voluntarily hands over a bag of marijuana. The officer must: → Accept it, document the encounter, and follow department evidence procedures
6. When writing the narrative portion of an incident report, which of the following is the MOST critical element to ensure the report is objective and credible? → Using direct quotes from witnesses and clearly attributing all information to its source.
7. On an entrance exam, choose the correct word to complete this sentence: The officer _____ the report before submitting it. → reviewed
8. An officer responding to a 'shots fired' call approaches a building. What is the safest tactical approach? → Use available cover, announce presence, and establish a perimeter
9. Complete the following equation: 18 - 3 + (- 5) = → 10
10. What is the legal standard required for a police officer to make a lawful arrest? → Probable cause to believe the suspect committed or is committing a crime
11. On a city map, 1st Avenue is parallel to 2nd Avenue, and Oak Street is perpendicular to both avenues. Which statement is true? → Oak Street intersects both avenues at 90-degree angles
12. What is the key legal standard for a 'Terry stop' (investigative detention)? → Reasonable articulable suspicion
13. Under the exclusionary rule, evidence obtained through an illegal search is: → Inadmissible in court to deter police misconduct
14. Which type of patrol involves officers walking a designated route in a neighborhood rather than driving? → Foot patrol
15. Which of the following is an example of a 'plain view' seizure? → An officer lawfully present in a home spots drugs left openly on a table
16. What is a 'field sobriety test' designed to assess? → Whether a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs
17. A juvenile is taken into custody. Which of the following is most important for the officer to do first? → Notify the juvenile's parent or guardian as required by law
18. Your home is broken into by a thief through a window. → burglary
19. Which of the following is a recognized exception to the warrant requirement that allows officers to enter a residence without a warrant? → Exigent circumstances
20. An officer is the first to arrive at a homicide scene. Which of the following is the MOST important initial step? → Secure the perimeter and ensure no unauthorized persons enter the scene
21. Recidivism in criminal justice refers to: → The tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend after release
22. An officer pulls over a vehicle for a broken tail light. During the stop, the officer smells marijuana. This gives the officer: → Probable cause to search the vehicle
23. Under most state laws, at what BAC level is a non-commercial adult driver in the US legally presumed to be impaired? → 0.08%
24. An officer interviews a victim who describes her attacker as about 6 feet tall. When recording this in the report, the officer should write: → Victim estimated attacker's height as approximately 6 feet tall
25. An officer witnesses a fellow officer use what appears to be excessive force against a suspect who is no longer resisting. The officer should: → Intervene to stop the use of force and report the incident through proper channels
26. A person is found unconscious on the sidewalk with an empty pill bottle nearby. Which action should an officer take FIRST? → Request EMS and check the person for responsiveness
27. An officer observes a blue sedan parked in front of a building. When writing the report, the officer should record the vehicle as: → A blue sedan with a partial description of distinguishing features observed
28. When completing an arrest report, the MOST important principle an officer should follow is: → Writing accurately, objectively, and completely
29. Which sentence uses active voice correctly in a police report? → Officer Jones observed the suspect enter the vehicle
30. A dispatcher says the suspect was last seen at 3rd and Main heading southwest. If the suspect continues in that direction, which area will they approach? → An area southwest of 3rd and Main