OACP Sigma 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the OACP Sigma test's reading comprehension section, what does a candidate primarily need to demonstrate when answering questions about a provided passage?
- Ability to recall personal experiences related to the topic
- Ability to extract and interpret information directly stated or implied in the passage (Correct answer)
- Knowledge of policing law beyond what the passage covers
- Speed of reading regardless of accuracy
Correct answer: Ability to extract and interpret information directly stated or implied in the passage
Reading comprehension questions test whether a candidate can accurately draw meaning from the provided text — both explicit facts and reasonable inferences — rather than from outside knowledge.
The Sigma test's reading comprehension component measures a candidate's ability to understand written material similar to documents police officers encounter on the job. Candidates must identify main ideas, interpret the author's intent, and draw logical inferences. Introducing outside information not supported by the passage is a common error.
Question 2: A Sigma spatial question: An officer travels north two blocks, turns east for one block, then turns south for two blocks. In which direction should the officer turn to return directly to the starting point?
- North
- South
- East
- West (Correct answer)
Correct answer: West
After moving north 2, east 1, and south 2, the officer is 1 block east of the start. Turning west returns the officer directly to the starting point.
Starting at origin (0,0): north 2 blocks = (0,2); east 1 block = (1,2); south 2 blocks = (1,0). The officer is now 1 block east of start. To return directly, the officer must travel west. Directional reasoning questions assess navigation ability, which is essential for field officers.
Question 3: On the Sigma written communication section, which sentence is correctly punctuated?
- The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket fled the scene.
- The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket, fled the scene. (Correct answer)
- The suspect who was wearing a red jacket, fled the scene.
- The suspect who was wearing, a red jacket fled the scene.
Correct answer: The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket, fled the scene.
A non-restrictive relative clause ('who was wearing a red jacket') must be set off by commas on both sides. Option B correctly places commas before and after the clause.
Non-restrictive clauses add supplementary information that can be removed without changing the core sentence meaning. They are enclosed by commas. Here, 'who was wearing a red jacket' simply describes the suspect; the sentence still reads correctly as 'The suspect fled the scene.' Correct punctuation matters in police reports because ambiguity can affect legal interpretation.
Question 4: A Sigma observation question gives a witness description: female, approximately 165 cm, short dark hair, green hooded sweater, black backpack. Which detail is most useful for immediate identification in a crowd?
- Height approximately 165 cm
- Female
- Green hooded sweater (Correct answer)
- Dark hair
Correct answer: Green hooded sweater
Clothing colour and type (green hooded sweater) is typically the most immediately visible and distinctive identifier when scanning a crowd.
In observation and memory tasks, officers must prioritise identifying features that stand out quickly. A specific, vivid clothing item is more immediately scannable in a crowd than height (hard to judge at distance), general gender, or hair colour (shared by many people). This skill is fundamental to effective suspect identification.
Question 5: An officer works an 8-hour shift. If 35% of the shift is spent on report writing, how many minutes are spent writing reports?
- 148 minutes
- 160 minutes
- 168 minutes (Correct answer)
- 175 minutes
Correct answer: 168 minutes
8 hours = 480 minutes. 35% of 480 = 0.35 × 480 = 168 minutes.
An 8-hour shift contains 8 × 60 = 480 minutes. Calculating 35%: 0.35 × 480 = 168 minutes. The Sigma numerical reasoning section includes percentage calculations because officers routinely compute ratios, statistics, and allocations in administrative and investigative contexts.
Question 6: In a Sigma situational judgement scenario, an officer discovers a colleague has been falsifying overtime records. The officer's most appropriate action is to:
- Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict
- Confront the colleague privately and give them a chance to correct it
- Report the conduct to a supervisor or through the appropriate professional standards channel (Correct answer)
- Discuss the issue with other colleagues before deciding
Correct answer: Report the conduct to a supervisor or through the appropriate professional standards channel
Integrity and accountability require that misconduct be reported through proper channels. Ignoring or informally handling misconduct fails to uphold professional standards.
Officers have a professional and ethical duty to report misconduct. Falsifying records is a serious breach that undermines public trust in policing. The correct course is to report through supervisory or professional standards channels. Managing it personally could allow the behaviour to continue and might implicate the observing officer in a cover-up.
OACP Sigma 2
In the OACP Sigma test's reading comprehension section, what does a candidate primarily need to demonstrate when answering questions about a provided passage?