MCOLES Patrol Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a traffic stop at night, what is the safest approach position for an officer walking toward the stopped vehicle?
- Walk directly to the driver's window using the roadway side
- Approach from the passenger side to avoid being in the driver's line of sight
- Stay behind the B-pillar on the driver's side while approaching (Correct answer)
- Stand directly behind the vehicle before approaching
Correct answer: Stay behind the B-pillar on the driver's side while approaching
Positioning behind the B-pillar (between front and rear doors) provides cover and keeps the officer out of the driver's natural line of sight.
Question 2: A suspect flees on foot through a residential neighborhood at night. What is the FIRST action an officer should take before initiating a foot pursuit?
- Immediately give chase to maintain visual contact
- Broadcast the suspect's description and last known direction of travel (Correct answer)
- Request a K-9 unit before moving
- Secure the patrol vehicle and gather witnesses
Correct answer: Broadcast the suspect's description and last known direction of travel
Broadcasting the suspect's description and direction ensures other units can assist and establishes a perimeter even if the officer loses sight of the suspect.
Question 3: Under Michigan law, when may an officer conduct a pat-down search (Terry frisk) of a person?
- Any time a person is detained for questioning
- When the officer has probable cause to arrest the person
- When the officer reasonably believes the person may be armed and dangerous (Correct answer)
- Only after a lawful arrest has been made
Correct answer: When the officer reasonably believes the person may be armed and dangerous
Terry v. Ohio allows a pat-down for weapons when an officer has reasonable, articulable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous.
Question 4: You arrive at a domestic violence call and the victim refuses to cooperate or provide a statement. What should you do?
- Leave after documenting the refusal
- Document observations, gather other evidence, and consider a mandatory arrest if required (Correct answer)
- Arrest the victim for filing a false report
- Require the victim to sign a waiver before leaving
Correct answer: Document observations, gather other evidence, and consider a mandatory arrest if required
Michigan's domestic violence laws allow officer-initiated arrests based on probable cause, and officers should document injuries, witness statements, and scene evidence independent of victim cooperation.
Question 5: While on patrol, you observe a driver swerving between lanes and smell alcohol when you make contact. The driver refuses the preliminary breath test (PBT). What is the consequence in Michigan?
- The refusal cannot be used against the driver in court
- Refusal is a civil infraction and is admissible in court (Correct answer)
- The officer must release the driver without further testing
- The driver is automatically charged with OWI
Correct answer: Refusal is a civil infraction and is admissible in court
In Michigan, refusing a PBT is a civil infraction, and the refusal is admissible as evidence in court proceedings.
Question 6: An officer receives a call of a 'man with a gun' in a park. Upon arrival, no suspect is located. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Clear the call and resume patrol
- Broadcast the description, canvass the area, and take a report from the complainant (Correct answer)
- Wait at the location for 30 minutes before clearing
- Request SWAT before conducting any further search
Correct answer: Broadcast the description, canvass the area, and take a report from the complainant
Canvassing the area and taking a thorough report preserves investigative leads and ensures a proper record exists if the suspect is later located.
Question 7: When establishing a perimeter around a building containing a barricaded subject, what is the primary purpose of the outer perimeter?
- To allow media access to the scene
- To prevent the subject from escaping and keep unauthorized persons out (Correct answer)
- To provide a staging area for tactical teams only
- To establish a command post for the incident commander
Correct answer: To prevent the subject from escaping and keep unauthorized persons out
The outer perimeter is designed to contain the subject, prevent escape, and protect the public from the dangerous situation.
MCOLES Patrol Operations 2
During a traffic stop at night, what is the safest approach position for an officer walking toward the stopped vehicle?