SSPO Situational Judgment and Reasoning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You respond to a call about a man acting erratically in a park. Upon arrival, you learn the individual has a known mental health condition. He is not armed and not threatening anyone. What is your PRIORITY?
- Immediately restrain and handcuff the individual.
- Attempt to de-escalate using calm communication and, if available, request a crisis intervention team. (Correct answer)
- Leave the scene since no crime has been committed.
- Issue a citation for disturbing the peace.
Correct answer: Attempt to de-escalate using calm communication and, if available, request a crisis intervention team.
De-escalation and mental health resources are the appropriate first response when no immediate threat is present.
Question 2: A witness to a crime refuses to give a formal statement because they fear retaliation. What should you do?
- Tell them they are legally required to provide a statement.
- Respect their concerns, explain witness protection options, and document what they are willing to share voluntarily. (Correct answer)
- Ignore their information since it cannot be used without a formal statement.
- Pressure them until they cooperate.
Correct answer: Respect their concerns, explain witness protection options, and document what they are willing to share voluntarily.
Building trust by acknowledging fears and explaining protections is more effective and ethical than coercion.
Question 3: During a traffic stop, a passenger in the vehicle suddenly opens the door and runs. The driver remains cooperative. What should you do FIRST?
- Immediately leave the cooperative driver and pursue the fleeing passenger on foot.
- Secure the driver and scene, request backup, and assess whether the fleeing passenger poses a threat requiring pursuit. (Correct answer)
- Ignore the fleeing passenger entirely.
- Arrest the cooperative driver for the passenger's behavior.
Correct answer: Secure the driver and scene, request backup, and assess whether the fleeing passenger poses a threat requiring pursuit.
Securing the scene and calling for backup before pursuing is safer and prevents leaving an unsecured suspect behind.
Question 4: You find a large amount of cash during a search incident to arrest. The suspect claims it is for a legitimate business. What is the CORRECT handling?
- Pocket some cash since there's no way to know the exact amount.
- Document and inventory all cash carefully according to evidence procedures and submit it with the case file. (Correct answer)
- Return the cash to the suspect since they offered an explanation.
- Leave the cash at the scene.
Correct answer: Document and inventory all cash carefully according to evidence procedures and submit it with the case file.
Proper evidence documentation and chain of custody protect the integrity of the investigation and the officer.
Question 5: A supervisor orders you to take an action you believe is unethical but not clearly illegal. What is the BEST course of action?
- Refuse immediately and file a formal complaint on the spot.
- Comply without question since orders must always be followed.
- Express your concern to the supervisor professionally, document the order, and seek guidance from a higher authority if the concern is unresolved. (Correct answer)
- Carry out the order but tell colleagues about it.
Correct answer: Express your concern to the supervisor professionally, document the order, and seek guidance from a higher authority if the concern is unresolved.
Raising concerns through proper channels while documenting the order protects both the officer and the department.
Question 6: A bystander at a scene hands you a phone showing what appears to be video evidence of the crime you are investigating. What should you do?
- Ignore it since evidence from civilians is not admissible.
- Take the phone and keep it as evidence without providing a receipt.
- Ask the bystander to send the video to your personal cell phone for safekeeping.
- Note the bystander's information, view the video, and follow department procedure for obtaining a copy through proper channels. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Note the bystander's information, view the video, and follow department procedure for obtaining a copy through proper channels.
Proper evidence collection from civilian sources requires documentation and following chain of custody protocols.
Question 7: You are dispatched to a noise complaint late at night. Upon arrival, you discover the 'noise' is a group of teenagers playing music on a private property with the homeowner's permission. What is the MOST appropriate action?
- Arrest all the teenagers for disturbing the peace.
- Confirm the homeowner's consent, advise the group to keep noise to a reasonable level, and document the call. (Correct answer)
- Issue citations to all teens present.
- Force the group to leave the property.
Correct answer: Confirm the homeowner's consent, advise the group to keep noise to a reasonable level, and document the call.
With owner permission and no law violation, advising the group and documenting the call is proportionate and appropriate.
SSPO Situational Judgment and Reasoning 3
You respond to a call about a man acting erratically in a park.
Upon arrival, you learn the individual has a known mental health condition.
He is not armed and not threatening anyone.
What is your PRIORITY?