PPAER Police Procedures and Legal Knowledge Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a field sobriety test (FST) conducted by a police officer during a traffic stop?

Answer: To establish probable cause that a driver is impaired

Field sobriety tests help officers establish probable cause that a driver is operating under the influence before making an arrest.

Under which circumstance can an officer legally conduct a pat-down (frisk) of a stopped individual?

Answer: When the officer has reasonable belief the person may be armed and dangerous

A pat-down is only permitted when the officer has reasonable belief that the person may be armed and dangerous, per Terry v. Ohio.

Which crime classification typically involves a maximum sentence of less than one year in a local jail?

Answer: Misdemeanor

Misdemeanors are lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year in a local or county jail.

What does the term 'probable cause' mean in the context of police work?

Answer: A reasonable belief based on articulable facts that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed

Probable cause is more than suspicion but less than certainty — it requires specific facts that would lead a reasonable person to conclude criminal activity is involved.

When a juvenile is taken into custody, which procedure typically differs from the processing of an adult suspect?

Answer: Juveniles are processed through the juvenile justice system and parents are usually notified

Juveniles are handled through the juvenile justice system, which emphasizes rehabilitation, and parents or guardians are typically notified promptly.

What is the proper procedure when an officer discovers a deceased person at a scene with no obvious cause of death?

Answer: Secure and preserve the scene, notify detectives, and document everything before anything is moved

The scene must be secured and preserved exactly as found, and detectives notified, to protect the integrity of any potential homicide investigation.