NYPD NYPD Situational Judgment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You observe two teenagers spray-painting graffiti on a building wall. As you approach, one runs and one stays. What should you do?
- Chase the fleeing teenager and let the one who stayed go
- Detain the teenager who stayed, broadcast a description of the fleeing one, and await backup (Correct answer)
- Let both go since property damage is a minor offense
- Arrest both immediately without documentation
Correct answer: Detain the teenager who stayed, broadcast a description of the fleeing one, and await backup
Detaining the individual present and broadcasting a description maximizes accountability without abandoning secured evidence.
Question 2: A victim of a robbery tells you the suspect is 'definitely' a neighbor she dislikes but provides no evidence. What is the appropriate action?
- Arrest the neighbor based on the victim's statement alone
- Document the allegation, interview the named suspect, and gather corroborating evidence before acting (Correct answer)
- Dismiss the complaint as biased and close the case
- Confront the neighbor aggressively to gauge their reaction
Correct answer: Document the allegation, interview the named suspect, and gather corroborating evidence before acting
Probable cause requires more than an accusation; you must investigate and gather corroborating evidence before making an arrest.
Question 3: While on patrol you find an unconscious person on the sidewalk with a needle nearby. What is your primary concern?
- Secure the needle as evidence first
- Check for responsiveness and request EMS while ensuring scene safety (Correct answer)
- Handcuff the person in case they are dangerous when they wake
- Search their belongings for identification before calling for help
Correct answer: Check for responsiveness and request EMS while ensuring scene safety
Life safety is always the first priority; EMS must be summoned immediately for an unconscious person.
Question 4: A supervisor orders you to falsify a report to cover up a minor procedural error. What should you do?
- Comply since the error was minor and the supervisor has authority
- Refuse and document the order, then report it to Internal Affairs (Correct answer)
- Falsify the report but note what happened in a personal journal
- Comply this one time but warn the supervisor not to ask again
Correct answer: Refuse and document the order, then report it to Internal Affairs
Falsifying official reports is illegal regardless of who orders it; refusal and reporting to IAB is the required course of action.
Question 5: You pull over a driver who is extremely agitated and keeps reaching toward the glove compartment. What is the safest approach?
- Allow the driver to retrieve whatever they want to de-escalate the situation
- Immediately order the driver to keep hands visible and call for backup (Correct answer)
- Walk up to the vehicle and look in the window quickly
- Issue the ticket from your car without approaching the vehicle
Correct answer: Immediately order the driver to keep hands visible and call for backup
A driver repeatedly reaching toward hidden areas is a safety concern requiring you to establish control and request backup.
Question 6: You respond to a noise complaint and find a large, peaceful house party. The music is loud but within permitted hours. What do you do?
- Disperse the party and issue summonses
- Advise the host that a complaint was received and ask them to lower the volume as a courtesy (Correct answer)
- Arrest the host for disturbing the peace
- Do nothing since it is within permitted hours
Correct answer: Advise the host that a complaint was received and ask them to lower the volume as a courtesy
When no law is being broken, informing and asking for voluntary cooperation is the proper community-policing response.
Question 7: A bystander attempts to record your use-of-force interaction on a cell phone from a safe distance. What is the correct response?
- Order the bystander to stop filming and confiscate the phone
- Allow the recording as long as the bystander is not interfering with the scene (Correct answer)
- Arrest the bystander for obstruction
- Block the bystander's view to preserve officer privacy
Correct answer: Allow the recording as long as the bystander is not interfering with the scene
Citizens have a First Amendment right to record police activity in public as long as they do not interfere with operations.
NYPD NYPD Situational Judgment 3
You observe two teenagers spray-painting graffiti on a building wall.
As you approach, one runs and one stays.
What should you do?