State Trooper Random 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A driver presents an out-of-state license during a stop. The trooper should:
- Refuse to accept it and require a local ID
- Run the out-of-state license through NCIC/NLETS (Correct answer)
- Immediately summon the driver's home state authorities
- Accept it without verification since it is foreign
Correct answer: Run the out-of-state license through NCIC/NLETS
NCIC and NLETS allow troopers to verify out-of-state and foreign licenses and check for outstanding warrants.
Question 2: During a high-speed pursuit, a supervisor orders the pursuit terminated. The trooper must:
- Continue until the suspect stops on their own
- Discontinue immediately and follow supervisor's direction (Correct answer)
- Continue only if the suspect is wanted for a felony
- Slow down but keep the suspect in sight
Correct answer: Discontinue immediately and follow supervisor's direction
Supervisors have authority to terminate pursuits, and officers are bound to comply with that lawful order.
Question 3: A trooper stops a vehicle and smells fresh marijuana but marijuana is now legal in that state for adults. What should guide the trooper's next steps?
- Immediately arrest the driver for drug possession
- Conduct a field sobriety test to determine impairment (Correct answer)
- Ignore the odor entirely since marijuana is legal
- Search the vehicle automatically without further justification
Correct answer: Conduct a field sobriety test to determine impairment
Even where marijuana is legal, the odor combined with driving creates reasonable suspicion of impaired driving, warranting field sobriety testing.
Question 4: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures?
- Second Amendment
- Fourth Amendment (Correct answer)
- Fifth Amendment
- Sixth Amendment
Correct answer: Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment specifically protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires probable cause for warrants.
Question 5: A trooper encounters a suspect who provides a false name. Upon learning the real identity, the trooper discovers an outstanding arrest warrant. What happens to any evidence found?
- It is automatically suppressed under the exclusionary rule
- It may be admissible under the attenuation doctrine (Utah v. Strieff) (Correct answer)
- It is only admissible if found before the false name was given
- It must be reviewed by a judge before any use
Correct answer: It may be admissible under the attenuation doctrine (Utah v. Strieff)
In Utah v. Strieff (2016), the Supreme Court held that evidence found after discovering a valid pre-existing arrest warrant can be admissible under the attenuation doctrine.
Question 6: During a traffic stop at night, the BEST officer safety practice is to:
- Remain in the patrol car with doors locked
- Use a flashlight and approach from the passenger side when safe (Correct answer)
- Approach quickly and reach the driver window before the driver reacts
- Turn off patrol car lights to avoid being a target
Correct answer: Use a flashlight and approach from the passenger side when safe
Approaching from the passenger side can give the trooper a tactical advantage and reduces exposure to driver-side threats.
Question 7: A trooper is dispatched to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, both parties deny any violence occurred. What should the trooper do?
- Leave immediately since no crime is apparent
- Separate the parties and interview them individually (Correct answer)
- Arrest one party to de-escalate the situation
- Remain only until both parties calm down, then leave without a report
Correct answer: Separate the parties and interview them individually
Separating parties reduces intimidation and allows for more truthful individual accounts before determining if a crime occurred.
State Trooper Random 3
A driver presents an out-of-state license during a stop.
The trooper should: