720 ACADEMY PHASE 1 EXAM 2026 STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
COMPLETE PREPARATION PDF
720 ACADEMY PHASE 1 EXAM 2026 STUDY GUIDE — PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS COMPLETE PREPARATION
• 200 exam-style multiple choice questions with 5 options each (A–E), correct
answer highlighted and bolded, with EXPERT RATIONALE — covering every Phase 1
topic tested in the Wisconsin DOJ 720-hour Law Enforcement Academy.
• Study tip: Work through 20–25 questions per session, review EXPERT RATIONALE
for every question including ones you got right, and revisit any topic where you
miss 2 or more questions in a row before moving on.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION 1:
FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE & HISTORY
1. Who is credited with creating the first modern professional police force?
A. J. Edgar Hoover
B. August Vollmer
C. Theodore Roosevelt
D. Sir Robert Peel
E. O.W. Wilson
Correct Answer: D. Sir Robert Peel
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sir Robert Peel established the Metropolitan Police in London in
1829, widely regarded as the world's first modern professional police force. His nine
principles of policing continue to influence law enforcement philosophy today.
2. In what year did Sir Robert Peel establish the Metropolitan Police?
,A. 1776
B. 1800
C. 1815
D. 1829
E. 1845
Correct Answer: D. 1829
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Metropolitan Police Act was passed in 1829, leading to the
creation of the London Metropolitan Police under Sir Robert Peel's leadership.
3. Which of the following best describes the social contract theory as it relates
to law enforcement?
A. Officers have the power to create laws independently
B. Citizens give up all rights when interacting with police
C. Citizens give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and order
provided by government
D. Law enforcement exists solely to generate revenue for the state
E. Officers must follow orders from elected officials at all times without question
Correct Answer: C. Citizens give up some freedoms in exchange for
protection and order provided by government
EXPERT RATIONALE: The social contract theory, foundational to American governance,
holds that individuals surrender certain liberties to a governing authority in exchange
for protection of their remaining rights and social order.
4. Law enforcement is empowered by the state to do which of the following?
A. Create laws, investigate crimes, and sentence offenders
,B. Make arrests, use force, and take freedoms away from people who break
the law
C. Determine guilt or innocence in criminal matters
D. Override judicial decisions when public safety is threatened
E. Conduct trials and impose penalties on offenders
Correct Answer: B. Make arrests, use force, and take freedoms away from
people who break the law
EXPERT RATIONALE: Law enforcement's core state-granted powers include the authority
to make arrests, use reasonable force, and deprive individuals of liberty when they
violate the law — not to adjudicate guilt or create legislation.
5. Which of the following is NOT one of the three stakeholders in the Criminal
Justice System triangle?
A. Courts
B. Law Enforcement
C. Corrections
D. Legislature
E. None — all three are stakeholders
Correct Answer: D. Legislature
EXPERT RATIONALE: The three recognized stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System
triangle are Courts, Law Enforcement, and Corrections. While the legislature creates
laws, it is not considered one of the three operational stakeholders in the triangle.
6. Which philosophical concept justifies American independence and is tied to
the social contract theory?
A. The idea that government authority derives from the consent of the
governed
, B. The belief that military force is the primary source of governmental legitimacy
C. The doctrine that laws apply equally to all without exception
D. The principle that economic prosperity justifies governmental authority
E. The theory that religious authority supersedes civil authority
Correct Answer: A. The idea that government authority derives from the
consent of the governed
EXPERT RATIONALE: The social contract theory, as applied to American independence,
holds that legitimate government power comes from the consent of the governed — a
principle reflected in the Declaration of Independence.
7. A law enforcement officer is best described as which of the following?
A. Any citizen authorized to carry a firearm
B. A government employee whose primary function is tax collection
C. Any person employed by a state or political subdivision tasked with
enforcing laws and authorized to make arrests
D. A federal agent assigned to interstate investigations only
E. An individual appointed by a judge to carry out court orders
Correct Answer: C. Any person employed by a state or political subdivision
tasked with enforcing laws and authorized to make arrests
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Wisconsin statutes, a law enforcement officer is defined as
any person employed by a state or political crime enforcement agency tasked with
enforcing laws/ordinances and authorized to make arrests for violations of those laws.
8. Which of the following best describes the role of law enforcement in a
democratic society?
A. To enforce the will of elected officials at all times
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
COMPLETE PREPARATION PDF
720 ACADEMY PHASE 1 EXAM 2026 STUDY GUIDE — PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS COMPLETE PREPARATION
• 200 exam-style multiple choice questions with 5 options each (A–E), correct
answer highlighted and bolded, with EXPERT RATIONALE — covering every Phase 1
topic tested in the Wisconsin DOJ 720-hour Law Enforcement Academy.
• Study tip: Work through 20–25 questions per session, review EXPERT RATIONALE
for every question including ones you got right, and revisit any topic where you
miss 2 or more questions in a row before moving on.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION 1:
FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE & HISTORY
1. Who is credited with creating the first modern professional police force?
A. J. Edgar Hoover
B. August Vollmer
C. Theodore Roosevelt
D. Sir Robert Peel
E. O.W. Wilson
Correct Answer: D. Sir Robert Peel
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sir Robert Peel established the Metropolitan Police in London in
1829, widely regarded as the world's first modern professional police force. His nine
principles of policing continue to influence law enforcement philosophy today.
2. In what year did Sir Robert Peel establish the Metropolitan Police?
,A. 1776
B. 1800
C. 1815
D. 1829
E. 1845
Correct Answer: D. 1829
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Metropolitan Police Act was passed in 1829, leading to the
creation of the London Metropolitan Police under Sir Robert Peel's leadership.
3. Which of the following best describes the social contract theory as it relates
to law enforcement?
A. Officers have the power to create laws independently
B. Citizens give up all rights when interacting with police
C. Citizens give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and order
provided by government
D. Law enforcement exists solely to generate revenue for the state
E. Officers must follow orders from elected officials at all times without question
Correct Answer: C. Citizens give up some freedoms in exchange for
protection and order provided by government
EXPERT RATIONALE: The social contract theory, foundational to American governance,
holds that individuals surrender certain liberties to a governing authority in exchange
for protection of their remaining rights and social order.
4. Law enforcement is empowered by the state to do which of the following?
A. Create laws, investigate crimes, and sentence offenders
,B. Make arrests, use force, and take freedoms away from people who break
the law
C. Determine guilt or innocence in criminal matters
D. Override judicial decisions when public safety is threatened
E. Conduct trials and impose penalties on offenders
Correct Answer: B. Make arrests, use force, and take freedoms away from
people who break the law
EXPERT RATIONALE: Law enforcement's core state-granted powers include the authority
to make arrests, use reasonable force, and deprive individuals of liberty when they
violate the law — not to adjudicate guilt or create legislation.
5. Which of the following is NOT one of the three stakeholders in the Criminal
Justice System triangle?
A. Courts
B. Law Enforcement
C. Corrections
D. Legislature
E. None — all three are stakeholders
Correct Answer: D. Legislature
EXPERT RATIONALE: The three recognized stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System
triangle are Courts, Law Enforcement, and Corrections. While the legislature creates
laws, it is not considered one of the three operational stakeholders in the triangle.
6. Which philosophical concept justifies American independence and is tied to
the social contract theory?
A. The idea that government authority derives from the consent of the
governed
, B. The belief that military force is the primary source of governmental legitimacy
C. The doctrine that laws apply equally to all without exception
D. The principle that economic prosperity justifies governmental authority
E. The theory that religious authority supersedes civil authority
Correct Answer: A. The idea that government authority derives from the
consent of the governed
EXPERT RATIONALE: The social contract theory, as applied to American independence,
holds that legitimate government power comes from the consent of the governed — a
principle reflected in the Declaration of Independence.
7. A law enforcement officer is best described as which of the following?
A. Any citizen authorized to carry a firearm
B. A government employee whose primary function is tax collection
C. Any person employed by a state or political subdivision tasked with
enforcing laws and authorized to make arrests
D. A federal agent assigned to interstate investigations only
E. An individual appointed by a judge to carry out court orders
Correct Answer: C. Any person employed by a state or political subdivision
tasked with enforcing laws and authorized to make arrests
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Wisconsin statutes, a law enforcement officer is defined as
any person employed by a state or political crime enforcement agency tasked with
enforcing laws/ordinances and authorized to make arrests for violations of those laws.
8. Which of the following best describes the role of law enforcement in a
democratic society?
A. To enforce the will of elected officials at all times
