Mixed Deck — All SDPD Topics Flashcards

A flying object has traveled a total distance of 1,800 miles in 20 days flying 12 hours each day. What is the average speed that the flying object was traveling

Answer: 7.5 mph

1,800 miles divided by 20 days gives us an average of 90 miles per day.The object flew for 12 hours each day,90 miles per day divided by 12 hours = 7.5 miles per hour

When treating a victim for shock, which position is generally recommended if no spinal injury is suspected?

Answer: Supine with legs elevated approximately 12 inches

Elevating the legs of a shock victim (Trendelenburg-modified position) helps return blood to the core organs, provided no spinal injury is suspected.

An officer writes in their report: "The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the Central Jail by Officer Smith." Which of the following is the most effective way to rewrite this statement using the preferred active voice?

Answer: Officer Smith placed the suspect under arrest and transported him to the Central Jail.

Active voice is preferred in police reports because it clearly identifies who performed the action. [3, 9] The sentence "Officer Smith placed... and transported..." is in the active voice, making it clear and direct. The other options use passive voice, which can be wordy and obscure who performed the action. [23, 24]

An officer uses a departmental AED on a cardiac arrest victim. After the AED delivers a shock, what should the officer do immediately?

Answer: Resume chest compressions immediately

Current guidelines direct rescuers to resume CPR immediately after AED shock delivery rather than pausing to check for a pulse.

During a consensual encounter at a park, an individual gives an SDPD officer voluntary consent to search their backpack. Inside, the officer finds a locked metal box. Which of the following actions is legally permissible for the officer to take next?

Answer: Stop the search of the box and seek separate consent to search it or obtain a warrant.

General consent to search a larger area, like a backpack, does not automatically extend to locked containers found within it. The scope of a consent search is limited by what a reasonable person would have understood the consent to include. To search the locked box, the officer needs separate, specific consent or must develop probable cause and obtain a warrant.

When broadcasting an 'Attempt to Locate' (ATL) for a wanted suspect, which of the following is the most critical information to provide immediately after the initial alert?

Answer: The reason the suspect is wanted (e.g., the specific charge).

Immediately after alerting units to an ATL, broadcasting the reason the person is wanted (e.g., 'wanted for 211 PC, armed with a handgun') is most critical for officer safety. This information allows responding officers to understand the potential threat level and adjust their tactics accordingly before they even receive a physical description.

Upon arriving at the scene of a domestic violence incident involving a physical assault, an SDPD officer observes a handgun on a coffee table in plain sight. According to California Penal Code § 18250, what is the officer's legal obligation regarding the firearm?

Answer: Take temporary custody of the firearm for the protection of the officer and others present.

California Penal Code § 18250 mandates that a peace officer at the scene of a domestic violence incident involving a physical assault or threat to human life shall take temporary custody of any firearm in plain sight or discovered pursuant to a lawful search. This is done for the protection of the peace officer and other persons present.

Which of the following actions by an SDPD officer is the clearest example of building a 'community partnership'?

Answer: Collaborating with a neighborhood watch and local business owners to develop a burglary prevention plan.

Community partnership, a core component of community policing, involves law enforcement and community members working together proactively to solve problems. Collaborating with neighborhood groups and businesses is a prime example of this partnership, whereas the other options describe standard, and often reactive, police duties.

What is the first step in a criminal investigation conducted by the San Diego Police Department?

Answer: Securing the crime scene

Securing the crime scene is the first step to preserve evidence and maintain the integrity of the investigation.

How does the San Diego Police Department ensure the chain of custody for evidence?

Answer: Documenting each transfer of evidence

The chain of custody is maintained by documenting each transfer of evidence to ensure its integrity.

When evaluating an officer's use of force, the SDPD policy aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court standard in Graham v. Connor. Which of the following is a central inquiry in determining if the force was 'objectively reasonable'?

Answer: Whether the officer's actions were reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances known to the officer at the scene.

The 'objectively reasonable' standard requires evaluating the officer's actions based on the totality of the circumstances from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, without the benefit of hindsight. The officer's underlying intent or motivation is not the primary consideration.

Which division within the San Diego Police Department handles cybercrime investigations?

Answer: Cyber Investigations Unit

The Cyber Investigations Unit is tasked with investigating cybercrimes, including online fraud and computer-related offenses.

Which of these terms refers to “an unprincipled person”.

Answer: Reprobate

The neighbors reprobated what was being proposed for the local community

An SDPD officer responds to a call about a person acting erratically in a park. The person is unarmed but shouting and not responding to verbal commands. According to SDPD's de-escalation policy (DP 1.55), which of the following actions should the officer prioritize, when safe and reasonable to do so?

Answer: Using time, distance, and communication to try and gain voluntary compliance.

SDPD Procedure 1.55 on De-escalation emphasizes using 'time, distance, communications, and other available resources in an effort to de-escalate encounters and gain voluntary compliance' when it is safe and reasonable. This approach is intended to reduce the need for force.

According to San Diego Police Department Procedure 1.04, what is the Department's highest priority in the performance of their duties?

Answer: The recognition and respect for the value of human life.

SDPD Procedure 1.04 explicitly states, 'The San Diego Police Department recognizes and respects the value of human life, having this as its highest priority.' This principle guides all other actions, including the use of force.

During a domestic violence investigation, a victim expresses fear for their safety after the officer leaves. The suspect has not yet been located. To provide immediate protection, the officer should inform the victim about and offer to request which type of court order?

Answer: An Emergency Protective Order (EPO)

An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) is a short-term order requested by a law enforcement officer and issued by a judicial officer, available 24/7, to provide immediate protection to a victim of domestic violence. It is designed to last for 5 court days or 7 calendar days, whichever is shorter, giving the victim time to apply for a longer-term restraining order.

Which of the following relationships falls under the legal definition of 'domestic violence' according to California Penal Code § 13700(b)?

Answer: Abuse committed against a person with whom the suspect has previously had a dating relationship.

California Penal Code § 13700(b) defines 'domestic violence' as abuse committed against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or a person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship. The other options do not describe the specific intimate or familial relationships covered by this statute.

Tissue or fluid taken for investigative purposes.

Answer: Specimen

Specimens are biological samples used for inspection purposes. Specimens help to determine what has happened or why it was present at the crime scene at that time.

During a traffic stop for an infraction, under which of the following circumstances is a peace officer required by CVC 40302 to take the violator into custody and directly before a magistrate?

Answer: The violator refuses to provide a written promise to appear in court.

CVC 40302 mandates that a person arrested for a non-felony violation of the code shall be taken before a magistrate if they refuse to give their written promise to appear in court (i.e., sign the citation).

An officer is drafting a report and needs to include all the essential elements of information. The report details the date, time, and location of the incident, describes the suspect and victim, and explains the actions taken. Which of the following fundamental questions is MOST likely to be answered in the 'Modus Operandi' (MO) or narrative section?

Answer: How?

The 'How' addresses the specific actions and methods the suspect used to commit the crime (the Modus Operandi). [5] While Who, When, and Where are critical and included in the report, the detailed narrative of the event, explaining the sequence and method of the crime, specifically answers the 'How' question. [5, 20]