General Practice Flashcards

A suspect invokes their right to remain silent during questioning. What must the officer do?

Answer: Cease all interrogation immediately

Once a suspect invokes the right to silence, all questioning must stop immediately per Miranda protections.

Which of the following best describes 'probable cause'?

Answer: Reasonable belief based on articulable facts that a crime has been or is being committed

Probable cause requires articulable facts and reasonable belief — more than suspicion but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

An officer observes a driver swerving between lanes at 2 AM. This provides grounds for:

Answer: A Terry stop based on reasonable suspicion

Swerving at night creates reasonable suspicion of impaired driving, justifying a brief investigative stop.

When completing a use-of-force report, an officer should:

Answer: Record all relevant facts as soon as practicable after the incident

Use-of-force reports must accurately capture events and should be completed as soon as possible while details are fresh.

A victim of domestic violence recants their statement before trial. The officer should:

Answer: Consult with the prosecutor and preserve all original evidence and statements

Prosecution can proceed without victim testimony if other evidence exists; the officer should preserve all evidence and work with the prosecutor.

What is the primary purpose of the chain of custody in evidence handling?

Answer: To document every person who handled the evidence to preserve its integrity

Chain of custody tracks everyone who handled evidence, ensuring it was not tampered with and is admissible in court.

An officer responding to a 'shots fired' call should first:

Answer: Stage at a safe perimeter and request backup before approaching

Officer safety requires staging at a safe distance and waiting for backup before approaching an active shooter scene.