Question 1

What is a "preliminary investigation?"

Accepted Answer

A preliminary investigation is the initial inquiry into a reported crime, where law enforcement gathers information, interviews witnesses, collects evidence, and determines whether there is enough probable cause to move forward with a criminal case. It is not specific to any stage of the criminal justice process, such as arrest, preliminary hearing, or sentencing.

Question 2

The Rand study on the effectiveness of criminal investigators found that:

Accepted Answer

The Rand study found that 80 percent of cases cleared by the police were due to on-the-scene arrests rather than the work of criminal investigators or the use of forensic evidence. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they are not supported by the Rand study.

Question 3

Enforcement of traffic laws falls under which function of police?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

How is most police work initiated?

Accepted Answer

Most police work is initiated through citizen calls, which are made to report crimes, suspicious behavior, or requests for assistance. Police officers then respond to these calls and begin their work from there. On patrol, investigations, and undercover operations may also lead to police work, but they are not typically the primary initiators.

Question 5

Which of the following refers to any time that an officer is committed to some call or police activity?

Accepted Answer

Committed time refers to any time that an officer is committed to some call or police activity. It could include responding to a 911 call, engaging in a pursuit, conducting an arrest, or responding to a request for backup from another officer.

Question 6

One of the common errors in determining patrol assignments has been the use of what type of data?

Accepted Answer

The use of aggregate data, such as crime maps and crime statistics, can lead to errors in determining patrol assignments because it may not accurately reflect the specific needs and concerns of the community. It is important to use a variety of data sources, including community input and officer feedback, in order to make informed decisions about patrol assignments.

Question 7

Which of the following is an advantage of bicycle patrol over foot patrol?

Accepted Answer

Bicycle patrols can travel greater distances at a faster rate compared to foot patrols, allowing officers to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time. This can increase their visibility and response time to incidents.

Question 8

Which type of traffic stop involves an officer using the pretext of a traffic violation to stop a vehicle to investigate for other crimes?

Accepted Answer

Pretextual traffic stops involve officers using a minor traffic violation as a pretext to stop a vehicle and investigate for other crimes. This tactic has been controversial and has raised concerns about racial profiling.

Question 9

In which case did the United States Supreme Court state that pretextual traffic stops were reasonable as long as the officer had probable cause to believe the violation had occurred?

Accepted Answer

The case in which the United States Supreme Court stated that pretextual traffic stops were reasonable as long as the officer had probable cause to believe the violation had occurred is Whren v. United States.

Question 10

Which court case applied the "fruits of the poisonous tree doctrine" to the states?

Accepted Answer

Mapp v. Ohio applied the "fruits of the poisonous tree doctrine" to the states, ruling that evidence obtained illegally or through unconstitutional means cannot be used in court.

Question 11

The __________ function is performed by patrol officers who are allocated across beats to respond to calls and to observe for crime and suspicious activities.

Accepted Answer

Patrol officers are specifically allocated to beats to carry out functions such as responding to calls and observing for crime and suspicious activities. Investigative functions are typically carried out by detectives, traffic functions by traffic officers, and administrative functions by administrative personnel.

Question 12

The __________ function is responsible for solving crimes, apprehending criminals, and recovering stolen property.

Accepted Answer

The investigative function is responsible for solving crimes, apprehending criminals, and recovering stolen property.

Question 13

The __________ function is responsible for reducing the frequency and severity of traffic crashes and facilitating the orderly flow of traffic.

Accepted Answer

The traffic function of law enforcement is specifically responsible for reducing the frequency and severity of traffic crashes and facilitating the orderly flow of traffic. The patrol function involves the general duties of officers, including responding to calls, maintaining public order, and preventing crime. The investigative function involves the collection and analysis of evidence to solve crimes. The administrative function involves the management and coordination of law enforcement operations.

Question 14

__________ consist(s) of a variety of strategies: saturation patrol, stakeouts, surveillance of suspects, and decoys, among others.

Accepted Answer

The strategies listed, such as saturation patrol, stakeouts, surveillance of suspects, and decoys, are all included in directed patrol, which aims to target specific problem areas or individuals. Stop and frisk stops are a separate tactic and suspect-oriented techniques are a broader category of policing strategies.

Question 15

__________ or crackdowns attempt to deter crime or problems in a specific area through sudden and dramatic increases in police officer presence, sanctions, and threats of apprehension either for specific crimes or for all types of crimes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ or crackdowns attempt to deter crime...

Question 16

__________ are where police officers observe a suspicious person, stop the person, and talk with him or her.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ are where police officers observe a...

Question 17

__________ are ones in which agencies direct officers to concentrate on known suspects or classes of individuals.

Accepted Answer

Suspect-oriented techniques are strategies where law enforcement agencies focus their efforts on known suspects or specific groups of individuals. This approach is distinct from broader strategies like directed patrol, stop and frisk stops, or saturation patrol, which may target areas or behaviors rather than specific individuals.

Question 18

In 1964, the Court handed down its decision on __________, requiring that police officials allow suspects who are in custody to have access to an attorney when questioning becomes accusatory.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Escobedo v. Illinois. In this 1964 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that criminal suspects have a right to counsel during police interrogations under certain circumstances. This case laid the groundwork for the Miranda rights, which were established two years later in Miranda v. Arizona.

Question 19

____________ required that police officers advise suspects of their rights to legal representation and against self-incrimination.

Accepted Answer

Miranda v. Arizona established the requirement that police officers must advise suspects of their rights to legal representation and against self-incrimination, commonly referred to as the "Miranda rights." Mapp v. Ohio established the exclusionary rule, which prevents the use of evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment, while Whren v. United States upheld the legality of traffic stops even if the officer's motive was unrelated to traffic violations. Escobedo v. Illinois established a suspect's right to counsel during police interrogation.

Question 20

___________ partnerships are made between police and probation or parole officers; probation and police officers visit probationers to ensure that they are complying with stipulations or rules imposed by the court.

Accepted Answer

Enhanced supervision partnerships involve collaboration between police and probation or parole officers to ensure that probationers are adhering to the rules imposed by the court. This partnership allows probation officers to receive support from law enforcement in monitoring the behavior of probationers and intervening to prevent any criminal activities. The partnership helps to curb recidivism and reduce crime in the community.

Quiz 5: Police Operations