PELLET B Reading Comprehension & Interpretation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: 'California PC 459 defines burglary as entering any structure with intent to commit theft or any felony. The structure need not be a residence; commercial buildings, vehicles, and locked containers qualify. The distinction between first and second degree depends on whether the structure is inhabited.' Which is TRUE?
- Burglary can occur in places other than homes (Correct answer)
- Burglary only applies to residential properties
- Burglary requires that something be stolen
- First-degree burglary applies to all structures
Correct answer: Burglary can occur in places other than homes
The passage states the structure 'does not need to be a residence.'
The passage lists commercial buildings, vehicles, and locked containers as qualifying structures beyond residences.
Question 2: Memo: 'All officers must activate body cameras at every citizen contact. Cameras must remain active until contact concludes. Failure results in disciplinary review. Officers may deactivate when speaking with confidential informants, if documented.' When may cameras be deactivated?
- When speaking with a confidential informant, if documented (Correct answer)
- Whenever deemed appropriate
- Only with supervisor approval
- Cameras may never be deactivated
Correct answer: When speaking with a confidential informant, if documented
The memo specifies one exception: confidential informant contacts with documentation.
The general rule has one stated exception: confidential informant conversations, conditional upon documentation.
Question 3: Data: 'District 3 had 15% increase in vehicle thefts. 78% were unlocked. 62% occurred 2-5 AM. 45% were pickup trucks.' Best recommendation?
- Encourage locking vehicles and increase 2-5 AM patrols in areas with high pickup truck ownership (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on pickup truck owners
- Increase daytime patrols citywide
- Install cameras at every intersection
Correct answer: Encourage locking vehicles and increase 2-5 AM patrols in areas with high pickup truck ownership
The recommendation should address all three data points: unlocked vehicles, early morning hours, and pickup trucks.
Option A combines all three data findings into actionable recommendations.
Question 4: Policy: 'Pat-down allowed if officer reasonably believes person is armed and dangerous. Limited to weapons search. If an object's identity as contraband is immediately apparent by touch, officer may seize it.' What does plain feel allow?
- Seizing contraband immediately identifiable by touch during a lawful weapons pat-down (Correct answer)
- Conducting a thorough search of all pockets
- Seizing any suspicious item
- Extending the pat-down to search for drugs
Correct answer: Seizing contraband immediately identifiable by touch during a lawful weapons pat-down
The policy allows seizure only when the object's identity is 'immediately apparent' by touch.
The plain feel doctrine requires the contraband to be immediately identifiable without further manipulation.
Question 5: CVC: 'Yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens. Pull to right and stop. Do not stop in intersections; proceed through then pull over. On one-way streets, pull to either edge.' Driver is in an intersection when ambulance approaches. What should they do?
- Proceed through the intersection then pull right and stop (Correct answer)
- Stop immediately in the intersection
- Speed up to outrun the ambulance
- Pull to the left
Correct answer: Proceed through the intersection then pull right and stop
The passage says 'should not stop in an intersection; instead, proceed through and then pull over.'
Stopping in an intersection blocks the emergency vehicle's path. Proceed through, then pull over.
Question 6: Miranda: 'Required before custodial interrogation. Custody = reasonable person wouldn't feel free to leave. Interrogation = direct questioning or words likely to elicit incriminating response. Voluntary spontaneous statements don't require Miranda.' When is Miranda NOT required?
- A handcuffed suspect spontaneously confesses without any police questioning (Correct answer)
- An officer directly questions a handcuffed suspect
- An officer makes comments designed to provoke a confession from a detained suspect
- A detective interviews a suspect told they cannot leave
Correct answer: A handcuffed suspect spontaneously confesses without any police questioning
Miranda requires BOTH custody AND interrogation. A spontaneous statement without questioning lacks the interrogation element.
In Option A, there is custody but no interrogation. Without interrogation, Miranda doesn't apply.
PELLET B Reading Comprehension & Interpretation 2
Passage: 'California PC 459 defines burglary as entering any structure with intent to commit theft or any felony.
The structure need not be a residence; commercial buildings, vehicles, and locked containers qualify.
The distinction between first and second degree depends on whether the structure is inhabited.' Which is TRUE?