| Copyright (c) 2009 Don Cirillo | | | | be called. Using the process of elimination, A can |
| How to answer questions based on police rules | | | | be eliminated because it involves an armed |
| and procedures. | | | | suspect. C can be eliminated because it includes |
| Police department rules and procedures are | | | | life-threatening injuries. D can be eliminated |
| intended to insure officers make correct decisions | | | | because it involves the use of force. |
| in a variety of situations. These questions start by | | | | Situation |
| stating a set of rules and then ask the candidate | | | | Officer Burton is about to begin her patrol shift |
| to apply those rules to specific case situations. | | | | when she discovers that her police vehicle has a |
| Most rule and procedure interpretation questions | | | | large dent in the left rear bumper. She knows |
| are basically reading comprehension type | | | | that the vehicle did not have this dent yesterday, |
| questions. You read the rule or procedure and use | | | | when she last drove it. |
| logic to apply the rule to the situation. Strategies | | | | Question |
| PAY attention to the order in which the steps are | | | | According to the above rule, Officer Burton should |
| taken. In general, rules and procedures require | | | | most properly: |
| officers to follow a definite sequence of steps. | | | | A. request that she be assigned a different |
| Make sure your answers reflect this set order. | | | | vehicle. |
| Example: Rule 5:1 | | | | B. begin her shift and be alert to any operating |
| When responding to traffic accidents, the officer | | | | problems. |
| shall in the following order: check for injuries, | | | | C. find out what other officers used the vehicle |
| provide first-aid if needed, call for an ambulance if | | | | since her last shift. |
| needed, check for medical alert emblems, request | | | | D. inform her supervisor about the dented |
| additional squads for traffic control if needed, | | | | bumper. |
| divert traffic, locate witnesses, record information | | | | The answer is D. |
| in a memorandum book, conduct an investigation, | | | | Solution |
| file a report. | | | | The situation states that Officer Burton has |
| When a rule states a specific order such as this, it | | | | discovered a dent in the bumper of her patrol |
| should be followed in the exact sequence. | | | | vehicle that did not exist when she last used it. |
| PAY attention to when the rule is in effect. | | | | The question asks what she should do about it. |
| Certain rules apply to certain periods of time and | | | | To answer the question, evaluate all of the |
| situations. Make sure your answers reflect the | | | | choices. |
| correct time and situation. | | | | Choice D states that the officer should inform her |
| Example, Rule 7 | | | | supervisor about the damaged bumper. This is in |
| An officer may wear a short-sleeved uniform | | | | conformance to the rule that states that the |
| shirt from April 1st until November 1st; from | | | | officer should report any damaged or missing |
| Nov.1st to April 1, the officer must wear a | | | | parts to her supervisor. Choice D is therefore the |
| long-sleeved uniform shirt. | | | | correct answer. General Police Department Rules |
| PAY CLOSE attention to rule exceptions. When | | | | and Regulations |
| answering questions about rules and procedures, | | | | If you have a chance to familiarize yourself with |
| pay close attention to when rules include words | | | | the rules and regulations of the department |
| like except, only, if, etc. These are rule | | | | where you're testing, you'll gain a tremendous |
| exceptions. Underline these keywords when | | | | edge. Most likely this is not going to happen. |
| reading the given information. | | | | Although public record, most departments like to |
| Example: Rule 31: | | | | keep this information confidential. But we have the |
| Officers may not leave their assigned areas | | | | next best thing: |
| EXCEPT in emergencies or when ordered to do | | | | Here are general rules and regulations that are |
| so by a supervisor. | | | | listed on one department's police entrance exam. |
| PAY attention to completeness. Make sure all | | | | (Many police departments have similar standard |
| aspects of the rule are followed, not just part of | | | | operating procedures.) |
| the rule. | | | | Patrol Area |
| Example: Rule 72: | | | | Officers shall not leave their assigned area unless |
| An officer shall be punctual in attendance. Officers | | | | directly ordered by their supervisors, are sent to |
| shall check in with a supervisor who will mark him | | | | another area by the dispatcher or for other |
| her present for duty. | | | | emergencies. |
| Notice there are two parts to this rule. When | | | | Timeliness |
| answering a question about being punctual for | | | | Officers shall be punctual in reporting for duty at |
| work you would also need to consider the part of | | | | the time designated by the Department. |
| the rule that includes checking in with a supervisor. | | | | Contact With The Public |
| Interpreting Rules and Procedures | | | | Officers shall be courteous and civil when dealing |
| Sample Questions | | | | with the public. Any conduct to the contrary shall |
| Use the following information to answer the | | | | not be tolerated. |
| question below: | | | | Traffic Enforcement |
| Traffic accidents are classified in the following | | | | All members of the Department are responsible |
| categories: | | | | for the enforcement of traffic laws regardless of |
| 1. One-vehicle accident with no injuries. | | | | their duty assignment. |
| 2. Two or more vehicle accidents with no injuries. | | | | Orders |
| 3. One or more vehicle accidents with injuries that | | | | Officers shall promptly obey any lawful orders |
| are not life threatening. | | | | given by any officer of higher rank. |
| 4. One or more vehicle accidents with injuries that | | | | Gratuities |
| are life threatening. | | | | Officers shall not seek free admission for |
| Officer Allen responds to an accident at N. 20th | | | | themselves or others to theaters of other places |
| Street and W. Logan. Upon arrival, Officer Allen is | | | | of amusements. Officers shall not receive money, |
| informed by a witness that a Ford traveling south | | | | gifts, gratuities, rewards or compensation for |
| on 20th Street struck a boy on a bicycle at the | | | | police services rendered. |
| intersection of 20th and Logan. Officer Allen | | | | Confidentiality |
| observes a boy standing by a bike. He appears to | | | | Officers shall treat the official business of the |
| have only minor injuries. | | | | Department as confidential. |
| Based on the given information what category | | | | Identification |
| accident is this? | | | | Officers shall give all proper information to |
| A. 1 | | | | persons requesting it in a careful, courteous and |
| B. 2 | | | | accurate manner. Officers shall give their names |
| C. 3 | | | | and badge number in a respectful manner to any |
| D. 4 | | | | person who may request the information. |
| The correct answer is the C (3): a one or more | | | | Department Property |
| vehicle accident with injuries that are not | | | | Officers shall be responsible for the good care of |
| life-threatening. The easiest way to answer this | | | | all property assigned to them and shall report to |
| question would be by the process of elimination. | | | | their commanding officer any loss, damage to or |
| Eliminate the bad choices that don't pertain to the | | | | unserviceable condition of such property. |
| given situation. | | | | Uniform |
| Police officers are to call for a supervisor in the | | | | Officers shall be in complete uniform when on |
| following situations: | | | | duty. No mixture of civilian and uniform clothing |
| Whenever force is necessary in making an arrest. | | | | shall be permitted in public, or off-duty. |
| Whenever a shooting occurs. All assignments | | | | False Information |
| where the suspect is armed. All traffic accidents | | | | No Officer shall complete any report using false |
| involving life-threatening injuries. All accidents | | | | and inaccurate information. |
| involving department vehicles. Based on the above | | | | Substance Use |
| information, a supervisor should be called to the | | | | Officers shall not consume any intoxicating liquors |
| following assignments, EXCEPT: | | | | while on duty. |
| A. armed robbery in progress. | | | | Investigation |
| B. burglary in progress. | | | | Officers shall investigate all cases of injury to |
| C. traffic accident involving a car and a bicycle | | | | persons or damage to property to any public |
| where the bicyclist has head injuries. | | | | place which may come to their attention. |
| D. arrest of a burglary suspect who resisted and | | | | Statements |
| was pepper-sprayed. | | | | No member shall speak on behalf of the |
| The correct answer is B. | | | | Department unless authorized to do so by the |
| B the only situation where a supervisor would not | | | | Chief Of Police. |