Police Entrance Test, 2026 – Study guide and practice material
Following are four situations where the use of a K-9 unit might or might not be appropriate:
Tracking a suspect.
Controlling crowds.
Locating a lost child.
Identifying hidden drugs.
Which one of the following choices most accurately classifies the above situations into those
where the use of a K-9 unit would be appropriate and those where it would not?
A- 1, 2, and 3 would be appropriate, but 4 would not.
B= 1 and 3 would be appropriate, but 2 and 4 would not.
C- 1, 3, and 4 would be appropriate, but 2 would not.
D- All of 1, 2, 3, and 4 would be appropriate.
E- 2 would be appropriate, but 1, 3, and 4 would not. - correct answer ✔✔ All of 1, 2, 3, and 4
would be appropriate
Which one of the following is the most important reason why police use numbered codes to
transmit messages over the police radio?
,A- Because coded messages protect the confidentiality of the message.
B- Because coded messages protect the privacy of the victims of crimes.
C- Because coded messages prevent criminals from being alerted of arriving police units.
D- Because coded messages delay the arrival of TV and radio reporters at a crime scene.
E- Because coded messages make it easier for officers to understand what message is being
transmitted. - correct answer ✔✔ Because coded messages make it easier for officers to
understand what message is being transmitted
A detective is investigating the death of J, and it is important to find evidence that will establish
the date of J's death with as much accuracy as possible. The detective finds an evening
newspaper dated April 11 with some writing on it, and establishes that the writing is J's
handwriting. Which one of the following most accurately describes the significance of this
evidence?
A- It is positive evidence that J died on April 11.
B- It is some indication that J might have been alive on April 11.
C- It is positive evidence that J was alive on April 11.
D- It is positive evidence that J was alive after April 11.
,E- Without other supporting evidence, it suggests the probability that J was murdered on April
11. - correct answer ✔✔ It is positive evidence that J was alive on April 11
Some police departments require officers, assigned to patrol in cars, to get out and patrol some
sections on foot during late evening and early morning hours. Which one of the following is the
most likely reason for this requirement?
A
It creates good public relations.
B
It keeps the officers from falling asleep.
C
It reduces operating costs on the cars.
D
It provides greater protection for certain premises.
E
It enables the sergeants to observe their officers more closely. - correct answer ✔✔ It provides
greater protection for certain premises
A police officer searching a suspect will usually make the suspect place his/her hands above
his/her head and lean against a wall or car and then search the person from the rear. Which one
of the following is most likely the reason why this is done?
, A
Because this is the customary procedure.
B
So that the suspect cannot see what the police officer is doing while he/she is being searched.
C
Because it embarrasses the suspect and makes him/her realize the seriousness of the offense.
D
Because this is a good way to demonstrate to the public that the police are alert and doing a
good job.
E
Because it places the suspect off balance and in a poor position to attempt to attack the police
officer while he/she is engaged in the search. - correct answer ✔✔ Because it places the
suspect off balance and in a poor position to attempt to attack the police officer while he/she is
engaged in the search.
"The 'theory of a crime' is a proposed explanation by the detective of what actually happened.
Any theory must be reevaluated as new facts are discovered, which modify or are at variance
with the facts serving as basis for the initial theory. The initial theory and its modifications serve
to aid the detective in the analysis of the evidence and in the determination of how each piece
of direct, real, or substantial evidence is linked to the crime. It aids in establishing the sequence
of events and in checking actions and accounting for intervals of time. During the reconstruction
of the crime and during the formulation of proposed explanations, the detective must
constantly distinguish between relevant and irrelevant evidence." Which one of the following
statements is most fully based on and supported by the selection?
Following are four situations where the use of a K-9 unit might or might not be appropriate:
Tracking a suspect.
Controlling crowds.
Locating a lost child.
Identifying hidden drugs.
Which one of the following choices most accurately classifies the above situations into those
where the use of a K-9 unit would be appropriate and those where it would not?
A- 1, 2, and 3 would be appropriate, but 4 would not.
B= 1 and 3 would be appropriate, but 2 and 4 would not.
C- 1, 3, and 4 would be appropriate, but 2 would not.
D- All of 1, 2, 3, and 4 would be appropriate.
E- 2 would be appropriate, but 1, 3, and 4 would not. - correct answer ✔✔ All of 1, 2, 3, and 4
would be appropriate
Which one of the following is the most important reason why police use numbered codes to
transmit messages over the police radio?
,A- Because coded messages protect the confidentiality of the message.
B- Because coded messages protect the privacy of the victims of crimes.
C- Because coded messages prevent criminals from being alerted of arriving police units.
D- Because coded messages delay the arrival of TV and radio reporters at a crime scene.
E- Because coded messages make it easier for officers to understand what message is being
transmitted. - correct answer ✔✔ Because coded messages make it easier for officers to
understand what message is being transmitted
A detective is investigating the death of J, and it is important to find evidence that will establish
the date of J's death with as much accuracy as possible. The detective finds an evening
newspaper dated April 11 with some writing on it, and establishes that the writing is J's
handwriting. Which one of the following most accurately describes the significance of this
evidence?
A- It is positive evidence that J died on April 11.
B- It is some indication that J might have been alive on April 11.
C- It is positive evidence that J was alive on April 11.
D- It is positive evidence that J was alive after April 11.
,E- Without other supporting evidence, it suggests the probability that J was murdered on April
11. - correct answer ✔✔ It is positive evidence that J was alive on April 11
Some police departments require officers, assigned to patrol in cars, to get out and patrol some
sections on foot during late evening and early morning hours. Which one of the following is the
most likely reason for this requirement?
A
It creates good public relations.
B
It keeps the officers from falling asleep.
C
It reduces operating costs on the cars.
D
It provides greater protection for certain premises.
E
It enables the sergeants to observe their officers more closely. - correct answer ✔✔ It provides
greater protection for certain premises
A police officer searching a suspect will usually make the suspect place his/her hands above
his/her head and lean against a wall or car and then search the person from the rear. Which one
of the following is most likely the reason why this is done?
, A
Because this is the customary procedure.
B
So that the suspect cannot see what the police officer is doing while he/she is being searched.
C
Because it embarrasses the suspect and makes him/her realize the seriousness of the offense.
D
Because this is a good way to demonstrate to the public that the police are alert and doing a
good job.
E
Because it places the suspect off balance and in a poor position to attempt to attack the police
officer while he/she is engaged in the search. - correct answer ✔✔ Because it places the
suspect off balance and in a poor position to attempt to attack the police officer while he/she is
engaged in the search.
"The 'theory of a crime' is a proposed explanation by the detective of what actually happened.
Any theory must be reevaluated as new facts are discovered, which modify or are at variance
with the facts serving as basis for the initial theory. The initial theory and its modifications serve
to aid the detective in the analysis of the evidence and in the determination of how each piece
of direct, real, or substantial evidence is linked to the crime. It aids in establishing the sequence
of events and in checking actions and accounting for intervals of time. During the reconstruction
of the crime and during the formulation of proposed explanations, the detective must
constantly distinguish between relevant and irrelevant evidence." Which one of the following
statements is most fully based on and supported by the selection?
