TCOLE Basic Peace Officer 4

Question 1

What is the legal standard required before a Texas peace officer can conduct a pat-down (frisk) of a detained person?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable belief the person is armed and dangerous

Answer

A frisk is justified only when the officer has reasonable belief, based on specific facts, that the detained person is armed and presently dangerous.

Question 2

A Texas officer encounters an emotionally disturbed person (EDP) making erratic statements. Which initial approach is MOST consistent with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) principles?

Accepted Answer

Slow down, lower voice, create distance, and actively listen

Answer

CIT training emphasizes de-escalation: slowing the encounter, using a calm voice, creating safe distance, and listening actively.

Question 3

Under the Texas Penal Code, 'deadly force' is defined as force intended or known by the actor to cause:

Accepted Answer

Death or serious bodily injury

Answer

Texas Penal Code Section 9.01 defines deadly force as force intended or known to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Question 4

When writing an offense report, an officer should describe a suspect's race/ethnicity using:

Accepted Answer

The victim's or witness's own description as stated to the officer

Answer

Descriptors in offense reports should reflect what witnesses or victims stated, accurately capturing the reported description.

Question 5

A store security officer detains a shoplifting suspect until police arrive. This is authorized under Texas law as:

Accepted Answer

Merchant's privilege — a statutory right to detain for reasonable investigation

Answer

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code provides merchants a privilege to detain persons suspected of shoplifting for a reasonable time to investigate.

TCOLE - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Practice Test

TCOLE - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Practice Test

TCOLE Basic Peace Officer 4