TCOLE Basic Peace Officer 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which level of force is generally authorized for an officer attempting to control an actively resisting subject who is not armed?
- Defensive tactics and pain compliance techniques (Correct answer)
- Lethal force
- Display of firearm only
- Verbal commands only
Correct answer: Defensive tactics and pain compliance techniques
Active resistance typically justifies defensive tactics and pain compliance techniques within a department's use-of-force continuum.
Question 2: Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a peace officer may enter a dwelling without a warrant when:
- Exigent circumstances exist, such as imminent danger to life (Correct answer)
- The officer believes contraband is inside
- A neighbor reports suspicious activity
- The resident has a prior criminal record
Correct answer: Exigent circumstances exist, such as imminent danger to life
Exigent circumstances — including imminent danger to life — are a recognized exception allowing warrantless entry under Texas and federal law.
Question 3: A motorist is stopped for a traffic violation. During the stop, the officer smells marijuana. This gives the officer:
- Probable cause to search the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Authority to arrest without further investigation
- Reasonable suspicion only — a warrant is still required
- No additional authority beyond issuing a citation
Correct answer: Probable cause to search the vehicle
The odor of marijuana emanating from a vehicle provides probable cause to search under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement.
Question 4: In Texas, the offense of Evading Arrest or Detention becomes a felony when:
- The suspect uses a vehicle during the evasion (Correct answer)
- The suspect runs on foot for more than one block
- The officer is in an unmarked vehicle
- The suspect is a juvenile
Correct answer: The suspect uses a vehicle during the evasion
Under Texas Penal Code Section 38.04, evading arrest becomes a state jail felony when the defendant uses a vehicle, or a third-degree felony if serious bodily injury results.
Question 5: Which best describes the 'excited utterance' hearsay exception relevant to officer testimony?
- A statement made while the declarant was under the stress of a startling event (Correct answer)
- Any spontaneous statement made at a crime scene
- A written statement signed by a witness
- A statement made to a 911 dispatcher
Correct answer: A statement made while the declarant was under the stress of a startling event
An excited utterance is a statement relating to a startling event made while the declarant was still under its stress, making it admissible as a hearsay exception.
Question 6: A peace officer receives a report of a stolen vehicle. The officer locates the vehicle occupied by one person. The FIRST priority action should be:
- Contain the vehicle, request backup, and conduct a high-risk stop (Correct answer)
- Immediately approach the driver and demand identification
- Pursue the vehicle if it attempts to flee
- Broadcast the location and wait for the registered owner
Correct answer: Contain the vehicle, request backup, and conduct a high-risk stop
A stolen vehicle may be occupied by an armed suspect; officer safety protocols require containment, backup, and a high-risk stop approach.
Question 7: Under Texas law, which of the following is classified as a 'family member' for purposes of the Family Violence statute?
- A former spouse (Correct answer)
- A next-door neighbor
- A coworker
- A landlord
Correct answer: A former spouse
Texas Family Code defines family members to include current and former spouses, making former spouses covered under the Family Violence statute.
TCOLE Basic Peace Officer 3
Which level of force is generally authorized for an officer attempting to control an actively resisting subject who is not armed?