PD – Situational Judgment, 2026 – Study guide and practice material
Officer Anderson has just arrested an elderly woman for criminal trespass after she refused to
leave the premises of a state gov office. Out of respect for her age and potential for discomfort,
officer Anderson elected not to place her in handcuffs prior to transporting her to the station for
booking. What would this be considered? - correct answer ✔✔ Bad policy, because officer
Anderson has a greater risk of be assaulted
Late one Friday evening, Officer Anderson comes across a man who is unconscious in an alley.
Further scrutiny reveals that the subject has an empty syringe clenched in his hand. Officer
Anderson attempts to wake the man but is unable to do so. What action would be most
appropriate for Officer Anderson to undertake? - correct answer ✔✔ Call for an ambulance
immediately to transport the subject to a medical facility
While you are patrolling a small strip plaza, you witness two individuals in a parking lot
exchanging drugs for money. No sooner has the transaction taken place then both suspects
become aware of your presence and take off running in opposite directions. What would be
your best course of action? - correct answer ✔✔ Give chase to the suspect who had the drugs
A young woman approaches you while you are on duty and explains that a street vendor has
ripped her off for $25. She is very adamant that he be arrested immediately. Under the
circumstances, what is the best way to handle this situation initially? - correct answer ✔✔
Investigate the matter further by talking to the street vendor in question and then decide what
action, if any, needs to be taken.
An off duty police officer attending a neighborhood social function is approached by one of the
neighbors and told that obscene phone calls have been a real problem recently. What is best
advise the officer could give this person? - correct answer ✔✔ To call the phone company and
notify officials there first. Phone numbers and telephone listings can be changed
, During an apprehension of a robbery suspect, your partner fails in several regards to serve as an
adequate backup. What is the best means to initially address such a serious error? - correct
answer ✔✔ Confront the officer directly and discuss the problem
An officer had just dropped off two prisoners for booking when he noticed a $100 bill had been
inadvertently left on the back seat of the car. What is the most appropriate action this officer
should take? - correct answer ✔✔ Submit a formal written report on the matter and turn it in
for evidence storage
Police officer Anderson witnessed an altercation between two men. As he approaches closer in
an attempt to stop the fight, one of the men pulls out a knife and stabs the other in the chest.
The victim immediately collapses. It is quite obvious to Officer Anderson that the chest wound is
bleeding profusely. Under the circumstances, what is the best actions to initially take? - correct
answer ✔✔ Attempt to slow the bleeding and summon medical assistance
While you are off duty and attending a Sunday luncheon, a woman learns you are a police
officer. She explains that a traffic citation she received earlier in the week was totally unjustified.
What do you do? - correct answer ✔✔ Explain to her that since you were not there at the time
of issuance, it would be difficult to say one way or the other.
While on patrol, you receive a call to investigate an incident exposure incident at a nearby
residence. Upon arrival, you see a middle aged man in an overcoat standing in the driveway.
What is the best course of action at this point in time? - correct answer ✔✔ Ascertain from the
complainant as much information as he can and if the individual is indeed the suspect
During a routine patrol, Officer Anderson comes across a downed power line in the middle of
the roadway. No arcing or burning is apparent. What is the appropriate way for Officer
Anderson to handle such a situation? - correct answer ✔✔ Secure the area immediately and call
the electric utility repair department
What crimes would least likely to be affected by an increased police presence? - correct answer
✔✔ Murder. Nine times out of ten it's a spontaneous event that lacks premeditation
Officer Anderson has just arrested an elderly woman for criminal trespass after she refused to
leave the premises of a state gov office. Out of respect for her age and potential for discomfort,
officer Anderson elected not to place her in handcuffs prior to transporting her to the station for
booking. What would this be considered? - correct answer ✔✔ Bad policy, because officer
Anderson has a greater risk of be assaulted
Late one Friday evening, Officer Anderson comes across a man who is unconscious in an alley.
Further scrutiny reveals that the subject has an empty syringe clenched in his hand. Officer
Anderson attempts to wake the man but is unable to do so. What action would be most
appropriate for Officer Anderson to undertake? - correct answer ✔✔ Call for an ambulance
immediately to transport the subject to a medical facility
While you are patrolling a small strip plaza, you witness two individuals in a parking lot
exchanging drugs for money. No sooner has the transaction taken place then both suspects
become aware of your presence and take off running in opposite directions. What would be
your best course of action? - correct answer ✔✔ Give chase to the suspect who had the drugs
A young woman approaches you while you are on duty and explains that a street vendor has
ripped her off for $25. She is very adamant that he be arrested immediately. Under the
circumstances, what is the best way to handle this situation initially? - correct answer ✔✔
Investigate the matter further by talking to the street vendor in question and then decide what
action, if any, needs to be taken.
An off duty police officer attending a neighborhood social function is approached by one of the
neighbors and told that obscene phone calls have been a real problem recently. What is best
advise the officer could give this person? - correct answer ✔✔ To call the phone company and
notify officials there first. Phone numbers and telephone listings can be changed
, During an apprehension of a robbery suspect, your partner fails in several regards to serve as an
adequate backup. What is the best means to initially address such a serious error? - correct
answer ✔✔ Confront the officer directly and discuss the problem
An officer had just dropped off two prisoners for booking when he noticed a $100 bill had been
inadvertently left on the back seat of the car. What is the most appropriate action this officer
should take? - correct answer ✔✔ Submit a formal written report on the matter and turn it in
for evidence storage
Police officer Anderson witnessed an altercation between two men. As he approaches closer in
an attempt to stop the fight, one of the men pulls out a knife and stabs the other in the chest.
The victim immediately collapses. It is quite obvious to Officer Anderson that the chest wound is
bleeding profusely. Under the circumstances, what is the best actions to initially take? - correct
answer ✔✔ Attempt to slow the bleeding and summon medical assistance
While you are off duty and attending a Sunday luncheon, a woman learns you are a police
officer. She explains that a traffic citation she received earlier in the week was totally unjustified.
What do you do? - correct answer ✔✔ Explain to her that since you were not there at the time
of issuance, it would be difficult to say one way or the other.
While on patrol, you receive a call to investigate an incident exposure incident at a nearby
residence. Upon arrival, you see a middle aged man in an overcoat standing in the driveway.
What is the best course of action at this point in time? - correct answer ✔✔ Ascertain from the
complainant as much information as he can and if the individual is indeed the suspect
During a routine patrol, Officer Anderson comes across a downed power line in the middle of
the roadway. No arcing or burning is apparent. What is the appropriate way for Officer
Anderson to handle such a situation? - correct answer ✔✔ Secure the area immediately and call
the electric utility repair department
What crimes would least likely to be affected by an increased police presence? - correct answer
✔✔ Murder. Nine times out of ten it's a spontaneous event that lacks premeditation
