TCOLE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TCOLE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the offense of Criminal Trespass under Texas Penal Code §30.05? → A political canvasser walks up a driveway to knock on the front door of a house.
2. The three main categories of calls related to _______________________ are drowning, childbirth, and vehicle accidents. → EMS
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary factors articulated in Graham v. Connor used to determine the objective reasonableness of a use of force? → The officer's personal feelings of anger or fear during the encounter.
4. When an officer discovers a crime scene that may also be a biohazard, the officer's first priority should be to: → Secure the scene, limit access, and notify appropriate hazmat personnel
5. In the context of law enforcement ethics, the principle of 'Objectivity' requires an officer to: → Make decisions based on facts and law, free from personal bias, prejudice, or emotion.
6. Which of the following claims regarding probable cause is true in light of the Fourth Amendment? → An officer can establish probable cause through a person’s behaving abnormally.
7. When was the first of the 13 States to ratify the US Constitution? → 1787
8. When should crime scene photographs first be taken? → Before anything at the scene is moved or disturbed
9. Which of the following is a required element for a 'complaint' under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure? → It must be a sworn allegation charging the accused with an offense.
10. Which of the following is a primary purpose of conducting an inventory search of a lawfully impounded vehicle? → To protect the owner's property and protect the police department from false claims.
11. The cognitive interview technique is used primarily to: → Help eyewitnesses recall information more accurately and completely
12. What does AFIS stand for in law enforcement? → Automated Fingerprint Identification System
13. The Locard Exchange Principle states that: → Every contact between a criminal and a crime scene leaves a trace
14. Which of the following best encapsulates what the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP) means by the definition of a peace officer? → The Texas Rangers are Peace Officers
15. What is the primary purpose of maintaining 'chain of custody' for evidence? → To document who had possession of evidence at all times
16. An example of an environmental stressor is: → Extreme temperatures
17. Under what circumstances may a peace officer make a warrantless entry into a residence based on 'exigent circumstances'? → When there is a need to prevent the imminent destruction of evidence for a serious crime.
18. Under Texas law, what is the statute of limitations for murder? → There is no statute of limitations for murder
19. In criminal law, 'corpus delicti' refers to: → The body of facts proving that a crime was committed
20. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.22, a person is considered to be under arrest when they have been: → Actually placed under restraint or taken into custody
21. A 'dying declaration' is admissible as a hearsay exception when: → The declarant believed death was imminent when making the statement
22. What is the primary purpose of an investigator's initial walk-through of a crime scene before collecting evidence? → To gain an overview and develop the investigation plan
23. Which of the following statements regarding the Bill of Rights in the United States is true? → Both the Bill of Rights and the Constitution were ratified at the same time.
24. According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which of the following is a peace officer authorized to do when an offense is committed within their view? → Arrest the offender without a warrant.
25. Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrested person must be brought before a magistrate no later than how many hours after arrest? → 48 hours
26. A person working for or serving a law enforcement agency is a _______________________ who receives, processes, and transmits public safety information. → Telecommunicator
27. According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which of the following is NOT a primary duty of a peace officer? → To interpret laws for citizens
28. According to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, which of the following is considered the fundamental duty of a peace officer? → To serve the community, safeguard lives and property, and protect the innocent.
29. The general setup of a wired _______________________ system should be able to be described by a telecommunicator. → Telephone
30. Drowning, medical emergencies, and _______________________ are some examples of rescue-related calls. → Natural disasters