State Trooper Patrol and Investigation Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a high-speed pursuit, when should a trooper consider terminating the chase?
- When the suspect exceeds 90 mph
- When the risk to the public outweighs the benefit of apprehension (Correct answer)
- After 10 minutes of pursuit
- When the suspect enters a residential area
Correct answer: When the risk to the public outweighs the benefit of apprehension
Pursuit termination decisions are based on a continuous risk-benefit analysis weighing public safety against the need to apprehend the suspect.
Question 2: When securing a crime scene, what is the FIRST priority?
- Collecting physical evidence
- Photographing the scene
- Ensuring the safety of all persons present (Correct answer)
- Identifying witnesses
Correct answer: Ensuring the safety of all persons present
Life safety — including that of officers, victims, and bystanders — is always the first priority before any investigative actions are taken.
Question 3: A trooper conducting a field sobriety test should document which of the following?
- Only the test the suspect failed
- The suspect's full medical history
- All observations including clues noted on each administered test (Correct answer)
- Only the final pass/fail conclusion
Correct answer: All observations including clues noted on each administered test
Complete documentation of all clues observed on every test administered provides a thorough evidentiary record for prosecution.
Question 4: When interviewing a reluctant witness at a crime scene, which technique is most effective?
- Threatening arrest if they refuse to cooperate
- Building rapport and explaining the importance of their information (Correct answer)
- Conducting the interview in front of other bystanders
- Asking leading questions to speed up the process
Correct answer: Building rapport and explaining the importance of their information
Building rapport and explaining the investigation's importance encourages voluntary cooperation and produces more reliable information.
Question 5: A trooper discovers a vehicle matching a BOLO description. What should be done BEFORE approaching?
- Immediately activate lights and siren
- Request backup and confirm the plate with dispatch (Correct answer)
- Approach on foot to verify the occupants
- Conduct a pat-down of all occupants
Correct answer: Request backup and confirm the plate with dispatch
Confirming the plate and requesting backup ensures officer safety and verifies the vehicle matches the wanted description before any contact.
Question 6: Which type of patrol method involves troopers randomly varying their routes and timing to be less predictable?
- Directed patrol
- Saturation patrol
- Random patrol (Correct answer)
- Hot spot patrol
Correct answer: Random patrol
Random patrol varies timing and routes to prevent criminals from predicting officer presence and to maximize area coverage.
Question 7: When completing an incident report, a trooper should write in which perspective?
- Third person (the officer)
- Second person (you)
- First person (I) (Correct answer)
- Passive voice only
Correct answer: First person (I)
Police reports are written in first person to clearly attribute actions and observations to the reporting officer.
State Trooper Patrol and Investigation Procedures 2
During a high-speed pursuit, when should a trooper consider terminating the chase?