Question 1

Today, ____ percent of all local police departments require a degree from a two-year college.

Accepted Answer

According to a survey conducted in 2013 by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 9% of all local police departments require a degree from a two-year college.

Question 2

Which patrol function focuses on maintaining a presence in the community, either in a car or on foot, which allows attempts at preventing crime from occurring?

Accepted Answer

Preventive patrol focuses on maintaining a visible presence in the community to deter crime from occurring. Administrative duties involve paperwork and record-keeping, calls for service are responses to citizen requests for police assistance, and officer-initiated activities are proactive actions taken by the officer (such as conducting a traffic stop or investigating suspicious behavior) while on patrol.

Question 3

The term "clearance rate" refers to:

Accepted Answer

Clearance rate refers to the percentage of crimes that result in arrest and prosecution.

Question 4

Many police departments recognize that the benefit of a diverse police department is:

Accepted Answer

A diverse police department can improve community relations by fostering trust and understanding between law enforcement and different cultural and ethnic groups. This can lead to better cooperation and communication, which in turn can enhance public safety. While choices A, C, and D may also be possible benefits of a diverse police department, B is the most direct and relevant.

Question 5

The most common way for someone to become a detective is to ___________________.

Accepted Answer

The most common way for someone to become a detective is by being promoted from a patrol officer. Detectives are typically law enforcement officers who have worked their way up the ranks and gained experience in investigations. While obtaining an undergraduate degree or attending specialized training can be beneficial, it is not always necessary to become a detective. Graduating from criminal justice graduate school can potentially prepare an individual for a detective position but it is not the most common path to becoming one.

Question 6

As many as ____ of sworn officers, or those officers authorized to make arrests and use force, in some large police departments are patrol officers.

Accepted Answer

In some large police departments, as many as two-thirds (2/3) of sworn officers are patrol officers, responsible for general law enforcement duties including making arrests and using force when necessary.

Question 7

Generally speaking, the minimum age to become a police officer is ____:

Accepted Answer

In most states in the US, the minimum age requirement to become a police officer is 21. Some states may allow individuals as young as 18 to become police officers, but they may have additional requirements such as completing a certain number of college credits. It is important to check with the specific state or law enforcement agency for their age requirements.

Question 8

The segment of a police recruit's training that takes place on the beat is referred to in the text as:

Accepted Answer

The term "field training" is used by law enforcement agencies to refer to the period of on-the-job training that takes place on the beat, where recruits are supervised by experienced officers and gain practical experience in applying the concepts learned in the academy. A practicum or internship typically refers to a supervised work experience in a specific field or industry, but may not necessarily occur in a real-world setting. Probation refers to a period of monitoring or evaluation, usually after an individual has been hired or accepted into a program, to ensure that they meet certain requirements or standards. While probation may be part of a police recruit's training, it does not specifically refer to the on-the-job training that takes place on the beat.

Question 9

What is the second main function of police, along with patrol?

Accepted Answer

The second main function of police, along with patrol, is investigation. Police officers are responsible for investigating crimes, gathering evidence, and identifying suspects. This includes interviewing witnesses, conducting forensic analysis, and following up on leads. Investigation is an essential component of law enforcement, as it helps to ensure the criminal justice system is effective and operates fairly.

Question 10

Paperwork takes up to ____ of a patrol officer's time.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Paperwork takes up to ____ of a...

Question 11

A person who is involved in criminal activity and provides information about that activity and those who engage in it to the police is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A confidential informant is someone who provides information about criminal activity to the police or law enforcement agencies in exchange for some level of anonymity and possible legal protection or leniency. An undercover police officer is someone who poses as a criminal or otherwise infiltrates criminal organizations as part of an investigation. A witness is someone who observes criminal activity and may be called upon to testify in court. A vice detective is a police detective who specializes in investigating specific types of criminal activity, such as drugs or prostitution. Since none of the other choices involve providing information to the police, A is the best choice.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of police patrol listed in the text?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT a...

Question 13

Often, the ____ serves to legally discriminate against female applicants for police officer positions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Often, the ____ serves to legally discriminate...

Question 14

What is the ultimate goal of a bureaucratic organization, such as a police department?

Accepted Answer

The ultimate goal of a bureaucratic organization, such as a police department, is to achieve efficiency in their operations. This means that they aim to maximize their output while minimizing their input, which includes using their resources effectively and optimizing their processes to get the job done as efficiently as possible. This helps them to achieve their objectives and deliver on their mission while using their resources in the most efficient manner possible.

Question 15

After a crime has been committed and the patrol officer has gathered preliminary information from a crime scene, the responsibility of identifying the offender is delegated to the:

Accepted Answer

Detectives are responsible for investigating crimes, analyzing evidence, and identifying potential suspects. They have specialized training and resources that allow them to conduct more in-depth investigations than patrol officers. Therefore, the responsibility of identifying the offender is delegated to the detective.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic requirements for becoming a police officer?

Accepted Answer

While many police departments used to have minimum height requirements, this practice has largely been abandoned in recent years as it has been deemed discriminatory towards women and minority candidates.

Question 17

Aggressive investigation strategies include:

Accepted Answer

Undercover operations allow law enforcement to gather evidence and intelligence on criminal activity without alerting suspects. This can lead to more successful investigations and arrests. The other choices may also be effective, but undercover operations have been shown to be particularly successful in certain situations.

Question 18

Minority representation in American police departments has increased to roughly ____:

Accepted Answer

According to a report by the National Police Foundation, minority representation in American police departments has increased to an average of 24%. Option A and B are too low while option D is too high.

Question 19

After a crime has been committed and the patrol officer has gathered preliminary information from a crime scene, the responsibility of identifying the offender is delegated to the:

Accepted Answer

Detectives are responsible for investigating crimes and identifying offenders, while patrol officers are primarily responsible for maintaining order and responding to initial calls for service. Internal affairs units investigate allegations of misconduct by officers, and the police chief is responsible for overseeing the department as a whole, but neither of these roles is directly involved in identifying offenders after a crime has been committed.

Question 20

The majority of a patrol officer's time is spent on:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The majority of a patrol officer's time...

Quiz 5: Challenges to Effective Policing

Today, ____ percent of all local police departments require a degree from a two-year college.

Which patrol function focuses on maintaining a presence in the community, either in a car or on foot, which allows attempts at preventing crime from occurring?

The term "clearance rate" refers to:

Many police departments recognize that the benefit of a diverse police department is:

The most common way for someone to become a detective is to ___________________.

As many as ____ of sworn officers, or those officers authorized to make arrests and use force, in some large police departments are patrol officers.

Generally speaking, the minimum age to become a police officer is ____:

The segment of a police recruit's training that takes place on the beat is referred to in the text as:

What is the second main function of police, along with patrol?

Paperwork takes up to ____ of a patrol officer's time.

A person who is involved in criminal activity and provides information about that activity and those who engage in it to the police is a(n) :

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of police patrol listed in the text?

Often, the ____ serves to legally discriminate against female applicants for police officer positions.

What is the ultimate goal of a bureaucratic organization, such as a police department?

After a crime has been committed and the patrol officer has gathered preliminary information from a crime scene, the responsibility of identifying the offender is delegated to the:

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic requirements for becoming a police officer?

Aggressive investigation strategies include:

Minority representation in American police departments has increased to roughly ____:

After a crime has been committed and the patrol officer has gathered preliminary information from a crime scene, the responsibility of identifying the offender is delegated to the:

The majority of a patrol officer's time is spent on: