State Trooper Patrol Procedures and Tactics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a felony traffic stop, where should the primary officer position themselves after exiting the patrol vehicle?
- Directly behind the suspect vehicle's trunk
- Using the patrol vehicle's engine block as cover while issuing commands (Correct answer)
- Standing at the driver's door to maintain control
- Walking alongside the suspect vehicle toward the driver
Correct answer: Using the patrol vehicle's engine block as cover while issuing commands
The engine block provides ballistic cover while keeping the officer in a position to issue commands and observe the suspect.
Question 2: When conducting a high-risk vehicle stop at night, the trooper should:
- Turn off all vehicle lights to avoid making a target
- Use spotlights and takedown lights to illuminate the suspect vehicle (Correct answer)
- Approach quickly to minimize the suspect's reaction time
- Wait until daylight to conduct the stop
Correct answer: Use spotlights and takedown lights to illuminate the suspect vehicle
Spotlights and takedown lights blind and disorient suspects while keeping the officer in relative darkness.
Question 3: A trooper on patrol observes a vehicle matching a BOLO for an armed robbery suspect. The BEST immediate action is to:
- Initiate a traffic stop immediately without notifying dispatch
- Broadcast the vehicle's location and direction of travel before initiating the stop (Correct answer)
- Follow the vehicle until backup arrives without contacting dispatch
- Stop the vehicle only if the driver matches the suspect description exactly
Correct answer: Broadcast the vehicle's location and direction of travel before initiating the stop
Broadcasting location and direction ensures backup knows where to respond even if radio contact is lost during the stop.
Question 4: When using a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver, the trooper must first:
- Obtain supervisory authorization if required by agency policy (Correct answer)
- Ensure the suspect vehicle is traveling over 65 mph
- Notify the suspect vehicle's registered owner
- Complete a PIT course only once during their career
Correct answer: Obtain supervisory authorization if required by agency policy
Most agencies require supervisory authorization before executing a PIT because it is considered a use of force.
Question 5: During a foot pursuit, a trooper should prioritize which of the following?
- Maintaining visual contact at all costs regardless of hazards
- Continuously broadcasting location, direction, and suspect description (Correct answer)
- Tackling the suspect as quickly as possible to end the pursuit
- Pursuing alone to avoid slowing down coordination
Correct answer: Continuously broadcasting location, direction, and suspect description
Continuous radio communication ensures other units can set up containment even if the pursuing officer loses the suspect.
Question 6: When approaching a vehicle stopped on the highway shoulder at night, the trooper should:
- Park directly behind the vehicle with all lights off
- Park at an offset angle with emergency lights and spotlights activated (Correct answer)
- Park in the travel lane to block traffic
- Approach immediately without activating any lights to avoid alerting other drivers
Correct answer: Park at an offset angle with emergency lights and spotlights activated
An offset angle provides partial cover and a clear lane of egress while lights warn oncoming traffic and illuminate the scene.
Question 7: A trooper discovers a deceased individual at the scene of an apparent traffic accident. The FIRST priority is to:
- Begin an immediate autopsy examination
- Secure and preserve the scene to prevent contamination of evidence (Correct answer)
- Remove the body from the roadway to restore traffic flow
- Contact the media to report the fatality
Correct answer: Secure and preserve the scene to prevent contamination of evidence
Scene preservation protects evidence needed for crash reconstruction and any potential criminal investigation.
State Trooper Patrol Procedures and Tactics 2
During a felony traffic stop, where should the primary officer position themselves after exiting the patrol vehicle?