Question 1

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using fingerprints as a method of identification?

Accepted Answer

Fingerprints can be challenging to lift from a crime scene due to various factors such as surface conditions, the quality of the fingerprint left, and environmental conditions.

Question 2

From the first day on the job, police officers are taught the values and rules of police work in a process called _____.

Accepted Answer

From the first day on the job, police officers are taught the values and rules of police work in a process called socialization. This process helps new officers understand and integrate into the culture and norms of the police force.

Question 3

According to police theorist Harry J. Mullins, a ritual critical to a police officer's acceptance of police subculture is:

Accepted Answer

Harry J. Mullins identified witnessing deadly force for the first time as a critical ritual in a police officer's acceptance of police subculture. This experience significantly impacts an officer's integration into the norms and values of the police community.

Question 4

The term _____ describes the basic assumptions and values that permeate law enforcement agencies and are taught to new members of these agencies as the proper way to think, perceive, and act.

Accepted Answer

The term "police subculture" describes the set of informal values, norms, and beliefs that tend to influence the behavior, attitudes, and perceptions of individuals within law enforcement agencies. This subculture is often passed down to new members as the correct way to think, perceive, and act within the context of their duties.

Question 5

Which of the following is an occupational stressor particularly faced by police officers?

Accepted Answer

Police officers often face occupational stress due to negative media coverage, which can impact their public image and morale.

Question 6

As a patrol officer on duty, Clark patrols the streets in his police car to detect and prevent any disruptions to public life or potential criminal activity. In this scenario, Clark is engaging in _____.

Accepted Answer

Random patrolling involves officers moving through their patrol areas in an unpredictable pattern, aiming to deter crime by their mere presence without a specific target or focus area, which aligns with Clark's actions as described.

Question 7

Robert is a responsible citizen and actively takes part in social welfare initiatives introduced by the local governing body and police. Recently, he enrolled in a program that requires residents of the locality to collaborate with the police to prevent nighttime robberies. Robert is most likely involved in a popular version of a community policing initiative called a _____.

Accepted Answer

Neighborhood watch programs are community policing initiatives where residents collaborate with local police to monitor and report suspicious activities, particularly to prevent crimes like nighttime robberies. This aligns with the description of Robert's involvement.

Question 8

According to the _____, by cracking down on quality-of-life crimes, law enforcement convinces both criminals and law-abiding citizens that lawlessness will no longer be tolerated in a particular area.

Accepted Answer

The broken windows theory posits that maintaining and monitoring urban environments to prevent small crimes such as vandalism, public drinking, and toll-jumping helps to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes.

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of directed patrols?

Accepted Answer

Directed patrols focus on preventing specific types of crimes by concentrating police presence and resources in areas where those crimes are most likely to occur, rather than surveilling an entire jurisdiction or relying solely on incident-driven responses.

Question 10

In which of the following ways do lab technicians compare the DNA sample of a suspect with the evidence found at a crime scene?

Accepted Answer

Lab technicians compare DNA samples by looking for specific points on the DNA fingerprint called markers. In forensic science, it is common to analyze thirteen specific loci (locations on the chromosome) for matches between the suspect's DNA and the DNA evidence found at a crime scene.

Question 11

In the context of community policing, which of the following is a feature of collaborative reform?

Accepted Answer

Collaborative reform in community policing emphasizes partnerships between law enforcement and community members, including local leaders, to tackle challenging issues together. This approach is aimed at building trust and improving police-community relations.

Question 12

Which of the following is a way in which crime mapping can be used to predict future crime patterns?

Accepted Answer

Crime mapping involves using geographic information systems to visualize, analyze, and interpret the spatial and temporal patterns of criminal acts. This approach helps in predicting future crime patterns by identifying trends and patterns in the data.

Question 13

Which of the following is a characteristic of problem-oriented policing?

Accepted Answer

Problem-oriented policing focuses on identifying and solving the underlying causes of crime to prevent future incidents, rather than just responding to crimes after they occur.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true of the blue curtain?

Accepted Answer

The "blue curtain" refers to the perceived separation or barrier between police officers and the civilians they serve, often highlighting a sense of solidarity among officers that can lead to an us-versus-them mentality with the public.

Question 15

In the context of patrol strategies, calls for service are the primary instigators of action in _____.

Accepted Answer

Incident-driven policing relies on responding to calls for service as the primary instigator of police action.

Question 16

Kevin works in a police department and specializes in homicide cases. He has detailed knowledge of firearms. In his last homicide case, Kevin found a bullet at the crime scene and knew that the bullet was fired from a gun that is no longer manufactured. He immediately got his technicians to create a 3D image of the bullet and looked it up in a national firearms database to identify the gun and its last owner. This scenario illustrates that Kevin:

Accepted Answer

Kevin's actions of creating a 3D image of the bullet and looking it up in a database to identify the gun and its last owner demonstrate the use of ballistics technology, which is the science of the motion of projectiles and includes the study of bullets and firearms.

Question 17

Concentrated areas of high criminal activity that draw a directed police response are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Hot spots refer to areas with concentrated high levels of criminal activity, which often lead to targeted responses by law enforcement to address the crime in these specific locations.

Question 18

Which of the following stressors is exclusive to female police officers?

Accepted Answer

Lack of acceptance is a unique stressor for female police officers, as they often face challenges in being accepted by their male counterparts and the broader law enforcement community due to prevailing gender stereotypes and biases.

Question 19

Which of the following is a privilege granted to patrol officers under community policing?

Accepted Answer

Community policing emphasizes the importance of police officers having the flexibility to adapt to various situations they encounter. This approach allows officers to use their judgment and creativity to address community issues effectively, hence the freedom to improvise is a privilege under community policing.

Question 20

Which of the following is a characteristic of community policing?

Accepted Answer

Community policing emphasizes proactive problem solving in a systematic and routine fashion rather than focusing solely on responding to crimes after they have occurred. This approach encourages police to work with community members to identify and solve community problems.

Quiz 5: Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing