APCAT APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Prioritizing Critical Actions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You receive simultaneous calls: (A) a noise complaint about loud music; (B) a report of a person collapsed and unresponsive on the sidewalk; (C) a minor fender-bender with no injuries; (D) a report of vandalism to a park bench. Which call should be handled first?
- A
- B (Correct answer)
- C
- D
Correct answer: B
An unresponsive person represents an immediate risk to life and takes the highest priority over all property or nuisance calls.
Life preservation is at the top of the response hierarchy. An unresponsive person could be experiencing cardiac arrest, overdose, or stroke. All other listed calls involve property, noise, or minor collisions with no injuries.
Question 2: You are on patrol when you observe: (A) a shoplifter leaving a store; (B) a vehicle on fire with a driver trapped inside; (C) a person jaywalking across an empty road; (D) teenagers making excessive noise. What is your first action?
- Apprehend the shoplifter
- Assist the trapped driver and call for fire services (Correct answer)
- Issue a warning to the jaywalker
- Disperse the teenagers
Correct answer: Assist the trapped driver and call for fire services
A person trapped in a burning vehicle faces an immediate risk of death — this is the highest priority emergency.
Officer response priorities place imminent risk to life at the top. A driver trapped in a burning vehicle is in immediate mortal danger requiring emergency intervention and fire services coordination.
Question 3: As a first-responding officer at a major collision, which action should you take FIRST?
- Gather witness contact information
- Photograph the scene for evidence
- Ensure the safety of those involved and call for medical assistance (Correct answer)
- Direct traffic around the scene
Correct answer: Ensure the safety of those involved and call for medical assistance
Ensuring the safety of persons involved and calling for medical assistance is always the first priority at a collision scene.
Police first response protocols follow the 'life safety first' principle. Medical assistance for the injured and ensuring the scene is safe precede evidence gathering. Under Alberta's Traffic Safety Act, officers are required to ensure medical aid is provided.
Question 4: During your shift you receive four tasks: (A) file a routine follow-up report on a resolved matter; (B) respond to a domestic disturbance call in progress; (C) return a non-urgent call from a community member; (D) update the shift log. Which should you do first?
- A
- B (Correct answer)
- C
- D
Correct answer: B
A domestic disturbance in progress is an active incident with potential for injury — it takes priority over all administrative and non-urgent tasks.
Domestic disturbances can rapidly escalate. An in-progress call demands immediate response. Administrative tasks and non-urgent calls can safely be deferred.
Question 5: You are completing a report when you hear on the radio that a fellow officer is requesting urgent backup nearby. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Finish the report before responding, as incomplete reports cause administrative issues
- Acknowledge the call on radio and immediately respond to assist the officer (Correct answer)
- Contact your supervisor to determine if you are the nearest unit
- Ignore the call as you are already engaged in a task
Correct answer: Acknowledge the call on radio and immediately respond to assist the officer
Officer safety is paramount — when a fellow officer requests urgent backup, you should immediately acknowledge and respond.
An officer calling for urgent backup is in a dangerous situation where additional presence can prevent injury or death. Completing paperwork is a low-priority task compared to an immediate safety need.
Question 6: A call comes in reporting: (A) a missing dog; (B) a man threatening a woman with a weapon outside a store; (C) a graffiti complaint filed two days ago; (D) a noise complaint from an apartment. Which should be prioritised?
- A
- B (Correct answer)
- C
- D
Correct answer: B
An active threat with a weapon presents an immediate danger to life and is the highest priority call.
A man threatening someone with a weapon is an active, in-progress incident with immediate risk of serious injury or death. Missing pet, historical graffiti, and noise issues are important but not life-threatening.
APCAT APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Prioritizing Critical Actions 2
You receive simultaneous calls: (A) a noise complaint about loud music; (B) a report of a person collapsed and unresponsive on the sidewalk; (C) a minor fender-bender with no injuries; (D) a report of vandalism to a park bench.
Which call should be handled first?