Policing Exam Study Guide

Policing Exam Study Guide

Use of Force

  • Five Levels of Force:

    1. Officer Presence

    2. Communication

    3. Physical Control

    4. Intermediate Weapons

    5. Lethal Force

  • Force Utilization Statistics:

    • Force is used in approximately 1% of police encounters.

  • Suspect Resistance Categories:

    1. Cooperative

    2. Passive

    3. Active

    4. Assaultive

    5. GBH/Death (Grievous Bodily Harm)

  • Use of Force Guidelines:

    • Police must employ only the necessary force, which is defined as one level above the suspect's behavior.

Specific Tools and Their Effectiveness

  • Taser:

    • Effectiveness: 85%

    • Neuromuscular Shutdown Rate: Between 52% and 74%

  • Pepper Spray:

    • Effectiveness: 33%

Lethal Force Justification

  • Conditions for Allowing Lethal Force:

    • Lethal force is allowed only when there are reasonable grounds to believe that someone may face serious harm or death.

Search & Seizure

  • Search WITH Warrant:

    • Requires specific locations and evidence outlined in the warrant.

  • Search WITHOUT Warrant Conditions:

    • Exigent Circumstances

    • Investigative Detention Search

    • Search Incident to Arrest

    • Consent

    • Officer Safety Considerations

  • Plain View Doctrine Guidelines:

    • The police must be lawfully present, observe obvious evidence, have inadvertently discovered it, and not search beyond their scope.

False Confessions

  • Types of False Confessions:

    1. Voluntary Confessions

    2. Coerced-Compliant Confessions

    3. Coerced-Internalized Confessions

  • Causes of False Confessions:

    • Factors include stress, pressure, fatigue, long periods of questioning, and a desire to leave the interrogation environment.

  • Avoidance Methods:

    • Use of proper interviewing techniques, evidence-based questioning, and non-coercive techniques to minimize false confessions.

PEACE Model for Interviewing

  • Components of the PEACE Model:

    1. Preparation & Planning:

    • Review evidence and prepare questions and strategy.

    1. Engage & Explain:

    • Build rapport with the interviewee and explain processes and rights.

    1. Account:

    • Start with open-ended questions, then use probing questions.

    1. Closure:

    • Summaries of accounts, clarifications, and outlining next steps.

    1. Evaluation:

    • Review gathered information, compare with evidence, and identify contradictions.

Crime Patterns

  • Concentration of Crime:

    • Crime tends to be concentrated in small hot spots throughout cities.

  • Impact of Police Presence:

    • A visible police presence is associated with a reduction in crime rates.

    • Notably, a reduction in police contact resulted in approximately 900 more homicides and 34,000 more felonies.

Policing Approaches

  • Reactive Policing:

    • Includes strategies such as random patrol, rapid response to incidents, and reactive investigations.

  • Proactive Policing:

    • Aimed at preventing crime; incorporates strategies like Community Policing and Data-Driven Policing.

Hot Spots Policing

  • Focus:

    • Targets tiny areas with high crime rates.

  • Effectiveness Factors:

    • Visits to crime hot spots should be random and approximately 7 minutes in length for the best results.

CompStat

  • Four Principles of CompStat:

    1. Accurate & Timely Intelligence

    2. Effective Tactics

    3. Rapid Deployment

    4. Relentless Follow-Up

Interview Room Setup

  • Room Environment:

    • Must be a plain room with minimal distractions.

  • Seating Arrangement:

    • Officers should sit closest to the door for safety and control.

  • Key Considerations:

    • Balance comfort, safety, and control in the interview setup.