Sample Police Test

Sample
Writing Ability Section
Practice Test

For this section of the test, you will answer five (25) items that are similar to those items found on the writing ability section of the test.

For items 1-2, choose the pair of words that best completes the sentence.

  1. Be _____ of obvious things and _____ of persons quick to produce identification or alibis.
    A."caution" and "weary"
    B."cautious" and "wary"
    C."aware" and "skeptacle"
    D."cautious" and "skepticle"

  2. Every officer should _____ in mind that when two objects meet, some _____ of that meeting can be established and verified at a later time.
    A."bear" and "effect"
    B."bare" and "effect"
    C."bear" and "affect"
    D."bare" and "affect"

  3. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Listening to what others has to say is always a good idea?
    B.Listening to what others have to say is always a good idea.
    C.Always listen to what other’s have to say until answering her.
    D.Always listen to what others has to say before answering them.

  4. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Strict traffic law enforcement is the most effective weapon with which the officer may combat the auto theft problem.
    B.Strict traffic law enforcement is the best way with which the officer will combat a auto theft problem.
    C.Officers can combat a auto theft problem by being strict law enforcers.
    D.Officers which are strict law enforcers can best combat the auto theft problems.

  5. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Many times a traffic violator will provide an officer the opportunity to stop a car and approach a car theif that might otherwise escape detection.
    B.Many times, a traffic violation will provide an officer the opportunity to stop a car and apprehend a car thief who might otherwise escape detection.
    C.Many times, a violator provides and officer the option to stop a car and approach a car thief who might otherwise escape detention.
    D.Many times, a traffic violation provides an officer the option to stop a car and apprehend a car their who might otherwise escape detention.

  6. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Certain procedural steps must be taking by the officers on scene to make a strong case to work.
    B.Certain things must happen by the officers when they need a case to work strongly.
    C.Certain procedural steps must be taken by the officers at the scene to create a strong foundation from which to work.
    D.Certain steps by the officer must occurr at the scene for certain foundations to work.

  7. Identify the type of error that is found in the following sentence:
    The public judges our department by our employees’ actions.
    A.Spelling
    B.Grammar
    C.Punctuation
    D.There is no error

  8. Identify the type of error that is found in the following sentence:
    If an officer has probubble cause to believe that a vehicle contains stolen property, he or she may thoroughly search both the locked and unlocked portions of the vehicle.
    A.Spelling
    B.Grammar
    C.Punctuation
    D.There is no error

  9. Identify the type of error that is found in the following sentence:
    When evaluating evidence ask yourself, "Is there anything I’m forgetting."
    A.Spelling
    B.Grammar
    C.Punctuation
    D.There is no error

  10. Identify the type of error that is found in the following sentence:
    Direct evidence is the testimony of an eye witness to a crime who posesses an independent knowledge of the facts.
    A.Spelling
    B.Grammar
    C.Punctuation
    D.There is no error

  11. Identify the type of error that is found in the following sentence:
    Any public officer or employee, who willfully deprives an arrested person of any right, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
    A.Spelling
    B.Grammar
    C.Punctuation
    D.There is no error

  12. Identify the type of error that is found in the following sentence:
    Any uniformed law enforcement officer shall wear a badge, nameplate, or other device which bears clearly on its face the identification number or name of such officer.
    A.Spelling
    B.Grammar
    C.Punctuation
    D.There is no error

  13. A person has called on the telephone and asks to speak with your supervisor. Because he is not currently available, you take a message. Which of the following messages would be most correctly worded with respect to grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
    A.Joan called u this morning regarding dinner. If u return her call by 4:00 her number is 419-9813. If u call after 4:00, call her at home at 6671.
    B.Joan called you this morning reguarding dinner. If you return her call by 4:00 PM, her number is 419-9813. If you call after 4:00 PM, call her at home.
    C.Joan called you this morning? If you return her call by 4:00 PM, her number is 419-9813. If you call after 4:00, she can be reached at home at 419-6671.
    D.Joan called you this morning about dinner. If you return her call by 4:00 PM, her number is 419-9813. If you call after 4:00 PM, call her at home at 419-6671.

  14. A person has called on the telephone and asks to speak with your supervisor. Because he is not currently available, you take a message. Which of the following messages would be most correctly worded with respect to grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
    A.Mike calls you this mourning asking about the gym. If you call him back at 345-8910 you can before 4:00 PM. Otherwise, call him at his other number.
    B.Mike called you this morning to see if you’d like to meet him at the gym after work. You can reach him at the office before 4:00 PM at 345-8910 or on his cell phone at 432-7654 after 4:00 PM.
    C.Mike calls about the gim. Call him at 345-8910 or 432-7654 after 4:00 PM.
    D.Mike called you about the gym. You can reach him at 345-8910 before 4:00 PM or call him on his cell.

For items 15-16, choose the word that is synonymous (means the same thing) as the underlined word in the sentence.
  1. The suspect had a(n) eclectic set of friends.
    A.assorted
    B.limited
    C.narrow
    D.restricted

  2. The motive did not seem plausible to the jury.
    A.unreasonable
    B.conceivable
    C.unrealistic
    D.methodical

For items 17-20, choose the pair of words that best completes the sentence.
  1. Hair will be worn in a style and color that does not _____ from the overall _____ image of the traditionally accepted profile.
    A."deter" and "responsible"
    B."distract" and "responsable"
    C."detract" and "professional"
    D."distract" and "profesional"

  2. Officers are prohibited from ______ or _____ any fee or compensation for the performance of official duties.
    A."giving" and "taking"
    B."accepting" and "soliciting"
    C."getting" and "taking"
    D."accepting" and "giving"

  3. The quickest way for _____ to grow in a department is for the officers to _____ it among themselves.
    A."missconduct" and "except"
    B."rumers" and allow"
    C."problems" and "encourage"
    D."misconduct" and "tolerate"

  4. Failure to _____ approval for outside employment may lead to _____ action.
    A."obtain" and "disciplinary"
    B."get" and "serious"
    C."have" and "strong"
    D."ask" and "unfavorable"

  5. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.When responding, to an emergency calls, officers should never allow the speed of the response to thretan people or property.
    B.When responding to emergency calls, officers should never allow the speed of response to endanger people or property.
    C.Officers should never allow, when responding to an emergency call, the speed of responding to endanger people or property.
    D.Officers, responding to emergency calls, should not let the speed of the response, to threaten people or property.

  6. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Only marked, department, vehicles equipped with blue lights, and sirens will engage in persuits.
    B.Only marked department vehicles equipped with blue lights and sirens will engage in pursuits.
    C.Only marked department vehicles equiped with blue lights and sirens will engauge in persuits.
    D.Only marked department vehicles equiped with blue lights and sirens, will engauge in pursuits.

  7. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Officers who are off duty are prohibited from carrying there weapons while attending social events where alchoholic beverages are served.
    B.Officers who are off duty are prohibitted from carrying their weapons, while attending social events, when alcoholic beverages are served.
    C.Off duty officers are prohibited from carrying their weapons while attending social events where alcoholic beverages are served.
    D.Off duty officers are prohibited from carrying there weapons, while attending social events, where intoxicated beverages are served.

  8. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.There are basic requirements to ensure safety and security for prisoners, transporting officers, and the general public.
    B.When transporting officers and the general public, as well as ensuring safety, and security for prisoners, there are basic requirements.
    C.There are basic requirements for ensureing the safety and security of prisoners, transporting officers and the general public.
    D.When officers and the general public are transported and security of prisoners, and safety, is needed, there are basic requirement to follow.

  9. Considering grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as ease of understanding, which of the following sentences is most acceptable?
    A.Organized crime activity’s arent restricked to large, urban, areas but can exist in any size community.
    B.Organized crime activities are not restricted to large urban areas but can exist in any size community.
    C.Organized crime activities can ocurr in any size communities, not just large urban areas.
    D.Organized crime activities can occur any where, not just in large communities.

Sample
Human Relations Section
Practice Test

For this section of the test, you will read one short police-related situation and will then answer two multiple-choice questions relating to that situation. You will be asked to identify both the "most appropriate" response and the "least appropriate" response.

For example:

You are transporting an injured and intoxicated male who has a large amount of money protruding from his pockets. While transporting him to jail you notice that the money falls out of his pocket.

  1. Pretend you didn’t see the man drop the money.
  2. Wait until you go back outside and take the money if nobody else has found it.
  3. Pick up the money and give it to the staff at the jail for safekeeping.
  4. Pick up the money and place it next to the victim’s hand.
  1. WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
  2. WHAT IS THE LEAST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
There are 10 practice test items that are similar to those items found on the human relations section of the test.

You and your backup simultaneously arrive at a house where a domestic violence incident is reported to be occurring. As you approach the house you hear a woman and child scream and a man yelling, "I’ll teach you!" Your backup officer is visibly nervous and says, "We should call a supervisor." How would you handle this situation?

  1. WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
  2. WHAT IS THE LEAST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
     Most  Least 
    A.A.Ask the dispatcher for a call history on the house.
    B.B.Forcibly enter the house and contact a supervisor after the situation is under control.
    C.C.Tell your backup to calm down and knock on the door.
    D.D.Call your supervisor to request permission to enter the home immediately.


You and your partner respond to a combative male. The suspect spits on your partner after he is handcuffed. Your partner punches the suspect while in custody. How would you handle this situation?
  1. WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
  2. WHAT IS THE LEAST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
     Most  Least 
    A.A.Don’t question your partner but report the incident to his supervisor.
    B.B.Don’t tell anyone; just keep the incident to yourself.
    C.C.Tell your partner that his behavior was inappropriate and that if he reacts this way again that you will report his behavior to his supervisor.
    D.D.Tell the officer that his behavior was inappropriate and that he needs to tell his supervisor or else you will.


At the beginning of each shift you check the backseat of your patrol car for contraband, weapons, personal items, etc. You are starting your shift and notice that there is a new Maglite flashlight under the cushion in your backseat with a badge number engraved on it. The flashlight is obviously new and belongs to a fellow officer. Your flashlight is old and you don’t have the money to purchase a new flashlight. How would you handle this situation?
  1. WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
  2. WHAT IS THE LEAST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
     Most  Least 
    A.A.Track down the officer based upon the badge number engraved on the flashlight and return it.
    B.B.Keep the flashlight and scratch out the badge number.
    C.C.Use the flashlight until the owner comes looking for it.
    D.D.Keep the flashlight and replace it with your older flashlight.


You receive a noise complaint call. The reporting party states that the people behind him have been partying all night and it’s after hours. He demands that the neighbors receive a ticket. You approach the house with the noise disturbance and are greeted by an elderly man who invites you inside. He states that he and his wife are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. How would you handle this situation?
  1. WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
  2. WHAT IS THE LEAST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
     Most  Least 
    A.A.Don’t issue a citation.
    B.B.Tell the neighbor who complained that the music has been turned off for the night and that the neighbor will not receive a citation.
    C.C.Demand that he turns off the music and issue a citiation.
    D.D.Go back on your normal duties and ignore the complaint.


You initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle for running a red light. The driver does not stop and instead speeds away. You use your police radio to advise dispatch that you are pursuing a vehicle that failed to stop for a traffic violation. Your Sergeant radios you to cancel pursuing the vehicle. How would you handle this situation?
  1. WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
  2. WHAT IS THE LEAST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE?
     Most  Least 
    A.A.Continue following the vehicle and say you did not hear the Sergeant’s order due to radio interference.
    B.B.Continue following the vehicle just to see where it goes so you can catch the driver.
    C.C.Radio the Sergeant and explain why you should continue pursuing the car.
    D.D.Stop pursuing the car and call the Sergeant on the radio to advise him/her that you understand and have followed the order.


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