MCOLES LICENSING EXAM — COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS (2025/2026)
Introduction
The MCOLES Licensing Exam certifies that every entry-level officer in Michigan
possesses the legal knowledge, tactical judgment, and ethical foundation required for
safe, effective, and constitutional policing. The 2025/2026 examination measures
competency across:
• Michigan criminal law and procedure
• Constitutional limits on search, seizure, and interrogation
• Use-of-force continuum, de-escalation, and officer safety
• Traffic enforcement, OWI detection, and crash investigation
• Arrest protocols, probable cause, and warrant requirements
• Patrol operations, situational awareness, and tactical communications
• Community policing, bias prevention, and professional ethics
• Report writing, evidence collection, and courtroom testimony
Mastery of these domains ensures candidates can apply statutory authority while
protecting individual rights and public safety in every Michigan jurisdiction.
Examination
Total questions: 75
Question 1: Under MCL 750.81, “assault” is defined as:
A. Intentional infliction of bodily injury
B. An unlawful offer to do corporal hurt with force or violence
C. Physical contact causing pain or injury
D. Threatening words accompanied by a visible weapon
Answer: B. An unlawful offer to do corporal hurt with force or violence
Rationale: Michigan separates assault (threat or offer) from battery (actual contact). A
and C describe battery. D is not required; words plus apparent ability suffice.
pg. 1
,Question 2: Officer Ramirez stops a vehicle for speeding. The driver exhibits slurred
speech and an odor of intoxicants. The preliminary breath test (PBT) reads 0.07 g/210 L.
Under MCL 257.625a, the officer may:
A. Arrest the driver for OWI based solely on the PBT result
B. Use the PBT as probable cause for an evidentiary chemical test
C. Issue a citation for OWI and release the driver
D. Ignore the PBT and rely only on standardized field sobriety tests
Answer: B. Use the PBT as probable cause for an evidentiary chemical test
Rationale: A PBT is a field screening tool; it supplies probable cause but is not
evidentiary. Arrest requires additional evidence (driving pattern, SFSTs). A PBT ≥ 0.08
alone is insufficient for arrest under Michigan implied-consent scheme.
Question 3: A search warrant must describe the place to be searched with:
A. Generic neighborhood and house color
B. Sufficient particularity to enable an officer to locate the correct property with
reasonable effort
C. Street name only; house number is optional
D. Owner’s name and approximate square footage
Answer: B. Sufficient particularity to enable an officer to locate the correct property
with reasonable effort
Rationale: Fourth Amendment particularity requires specific address, landmarks, or
GPS coordinates. Generic descriptions risk the wrong premises.
Question 4: During a domestic dispute call, both parties claim the other committed
assault. Officer Jenkins observes a fresh laceration on the complainant’s arm and
defensive wounds on the alleged aggressor’s knuckles. Under MCL 764.15a, the officer:
A. Must arrest both parties for mutual assault
B. May arrest the predominant aggressor after considering statutory factors
C. Shall issue appearance tickets and leave the scene
D. Must obtain a warrant before any arrest
Answer: B. May arrest the predominant aggressor after considering statutory factors
Rationale: Michigan mandates arrest of the predominant aggressor when probable
cause exists, after evaluating relative injuries, threats, prior complaints, and self-
defense claims.
pg. 2
,Question 5: A juvenile (age 14) is taken into custody for armed robbery. Miranda
warnings:
A. Are unnecessary because the suspect is under 16
B. Must be given in the presence of a parent or attorney only
C. Are required before any custodial interrogation, but a parent must be notified
promptly
D. May be waived by the juvenile alone if the officer believes the juvenile understands
Answer: C. Are required before any custodial interrogation, but a parent must be
notified promptly
Rationale: Michigan requires Miranda advisement for juveniles; parental notification is
separate from waiver validity. A and B are incorrect; D is insufficient—best practice is to
involve parent or interested adult before waiver.
Question 6: An officer observes a hand-to-hand exchange of cash for a small plastic bag
on a street corner. The buyer immediately consumes the contents. The officer has:
A. Reasonable suspicion to detain and investigate
B. Probable cause to arrest both parties for possession
C. No authority to act without a warrant
D. Community-care-taking authority only
Answer: A. Reasonable suspicion to detain and investigate
Rationale: Observed drug transaction creates reasonable suspicion for a Terry stop.
Additional facts (field test, admission) are needed for probable cause.
Question 7: Under Michigan’s “stand-your-ground” provision (MCL 780.972), a person
may use deadly force if:
A. They are in fear of any bodily harm
B. They honestly and reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent
death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault
C. The aggressor is trespassing on their property
D. They first attempt to retreat, regardless of location
Answer: B. They honestly and reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent
imminent death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault
Rationale: Michigan removes the duty to retreat in a place where one has a legal right to
be, but the belief must be both honest and reasonable. A is too broad; C is insufficient;
D describes the old retreat rule.
pg. 3
, Question 8: During a high-risk traffic stop, the driver exits despite commands and
reaches toward waistband. The officer should:
A. Immediately shoot center-mass until the threat stops
B. Create distance, use cover, and issue clear verbal commands while preparing to use
proportional force
C. Holster and transition to a Taser only
D. Call for a supervisor before any force
Answer: B. Create distance, use cover, and issue clear verbal commands while
preparing to use proportional force
Rationale: Use-of-force continuum requires proportionality and de-escalation when
feasible. Creating distance and cover buys time to assess. A is premature; C may be
inadequate; D delays necessary action.
Question 9: A valid consent to search must be:
A. In writing and notarized
B. Given by a person with joint control over the property, even if co-occupant objects
C. Voluntary and not the result of coercion or threat
D. Accompanied by a signed Miranda waiver
Answer: C. Voluntary and not the result of coercion or threat
Rationale: Consent must be unequivocal, voluntary, and intelligently given. Writing is
preferred but not required. A co-occupant’s objection overrides consent (Georgia v.
Randolph). Miranda is unrelated to search consent.
Question 10: A misdemeanor domestic violence warrant is entered into LEIN with
nationwide extradition. An officer in a neighboring state stops the wanted subject for a
traffic violation. The officer should:
A. Release the driver with a warning because Michigan misdemeanants are non-
extraditable
B. Confirm the warrant, detain the driver, and notify Michigan to extradite
C. Issue a citation and advise the driver to turn themselves in
D. Ignore the warrant unless it is a felony
Answer: B. Confirm the warrant, detain the driver, and notify Michigan to extradite
Rationale: Domestic violence misdemeanors are extraditable under federal law (18
USC 2265). LEIN hit requires confirmation and detention.
pg. 4
SOLUTIONS (2025/2026)
Introduction
The MCOLES Licensing Exam certifies that every entry-level officer in Michigan
possesses the legal knowledge, tactical judgment, and ethical foundation required for
safe, effective, and constitutional policing. The 2025/2026 examination measures
competency across:
• Michigan criminal law and procedure
• Constitutional limits on search, seizure, and interrogation
• Use-of-force continuum, de-escalation, and officer safety
• Traffic enforcement, OWI detection, and crash investigation
• Arrest protocols, probable cause, and warrant requirements
• Patrol operations, situational awareness, and tactical communications
• Community policing, bias prevention, and professional ethics
• Report writing, evidence collection, and courtroom testimony
Mastery of these domains ensures candidates can apply statutory authority while
protecting individual rights and public safety in every Michigan jurisdiction.
Examination
Total questions: 75
Question 1: Under MCL 750.81, “assault” is defined as:
A. Intentional infliction of bodily injury
B. An unlawful offer to do corporal hurt with force or violence
C. Physical contact causing pain or injury
D. Threatening words accompanied by a visible weapon
Answer: B. An unlawful offer to do corporal hurt with force or violence
Rationale: Michigan separates assault (threat or offer) from battery (actual contact). A
and C describe battery. D is not required; words plus apparent ability suffice.
pg. 1
,Question 2: Officer Ramirez stops a vehicle for speeding. The driver exhibits slurred
speech and an odor of intoxicants. The preliminary breath test (PBT) reads 0.07 g/210 L.
Under MCL 257.625a, the officer may:
A. Arrest the driver for OWI based solely on the PBT result
B. Use the PBT as probable cause for an evidentiary chemical test
C. Issue a citation for OWI and release the driver
D. Ignore the PBT and rely only on standardized field sobriety tests
Answer: B. Use the PBT as probable cause for an evidentiary chemical test
Rationale: A PBT is a field screening tool; it supplies probable cause but is not
evidentiary. Arrest requires additional evidence (driving pattern, SFSTs). A PBT ≥ 0.08
alone is insufficient for arrest under Michigan implied-consent scheme.
Question 3: A search warrant must describe the place to be searched with:
A. Generic neighborhood and house color
B. Sufficient particularity to enable an officer to locate the correct property with
reasonable effort
C. Street name only; house number is optional
D. Owner’s name and approximate square footage
Answer: B. Sufficient particularity to enable an officer to locate the correct property
with reasonable effort
Rationale: Fourth Amendment particularity requires specific address, landmarks, or
GPS coordinates. Generic descriptions risk the wrong premises.
Question 4: During a domestic dispute call, both parties claim the other committed
assault. Officer Jenkins observes a fresh laceration on the complainant’s arm and
defensive wounds on the alleged aggressor’s knuckles. Under MCL 764.15a, the officer:
A. Must arrest both parties for mutual assault
B. May arrest the predominant aggressor after considering statutory factors
C. Shall issue appearance tickets and leave the scene
D. Must obtain a warrant before any arrest
Answer: B. May arrest the predominant aggressor after considering statutory factors
Rationale: Michigan mandates arrest of the predominant aggressor when probable
cause exists, after evaluating relative injuries, threats, prior complaints, and self-
defense claims.
pg. 2
,Question 5: A juvenile (age 14) is taken into custody for armed robbery. Miranda
warnings:
A. Are unnecessary because the suspect is under 16
B. Must be given in the presence of a parent or attorney only
C. Are required before any custodial interrogation, but a parent must be notified
promptly
D. May be waived by the juvenile alone if the officer believes the juvenile understands
Answer: C. Are required before any custodial interrogation, but a parent must be
notified promptly
Rationale: Michigan requires Miranda advisement for juveniles; parental notification is
separate from waiver validity. A and B are incorrect; D is insufficient—best practice is to
involve parent or interested adult before waiver.
Question 6: An officer observes a hand-to-hand exchange of cash for a small plastic bag
on a street corner. The buyer immediately consumes the contents. The officer has:
A. Reasonable suspicion to detain and investigate
B. Probable cause to arrest both parties for possession
C. No authority to act without a warrant
D. Community-care-taking authority only
Answer: A. Reasonable suspicion to detain and investigate
Rationale: Observed drug transaction creates reasonable suspicion for a Terry stop.
Additional facts (field test, admission) are needed for probable cause.
Question 7: Under Michigan’s “stand-your-ground” provision (MCL 780.972), a person
may use deadly force if:
A. They are in fear of any bodily harm
B. They honestly and reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent
death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault
C. The aggressor is trespassing on their property
D. They first attempt to retreat, regardless of location
Answer: B. They honestly and reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent
imminent death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault
Rationale: Michigan removes the duty to retreat in a place where one has a legal right to
be, but the belief must be both honest and reasonable. A is too broad; C is insufficient;
D describes the old retreat rule.
pg. 3
, Question 8: During a high-risk traffic stop, the driver exits despite commands and
reaches toward waistband. The officer should:
A. Immediately shoot center-mass until the threat stops
B. Create distance, use cover, and issue clear verbal commands while preparing to use
proportional force
C. Holster and transition to a Taser only
D. Call for a supervisor before any force
Answer: B. Create distance, use cover, and issue clear verbal commands while
preparing to use proportional force
Rationale: Use-of-force continuum requires proportionality and de-escalation when
feasible. Creating distance and cover buys time to assess. A is premature; C may be
inadequate; D delays necessary action.
Question 9: A valid consent to search must be:
A. In writing and notarized
B. Given by a person with joint control over the property, even if co-occupant objects
C. Voluntary and not the result of coercion or threat
D. Accompanied by a signed Miranda waiver
Answer: C. Voluntary and not the result of coercion or threat
Rationale: Consent must be unequivocal, voluntary, and intelligently given. Writing is
preferred but not required. A co-occupant’s objection overrides consent (Georgia v.
Randolph). Miranda is unrelated to search consent.
Question 10: A misdemeanor domestic violence warrant is entered into LEIN with
nationwide extradition. An officer in a neighboring state stops the wanted subject for a
traffic violation. The officer should:
A. Release the driver with a warning because Michigan misdemeanants are non-
extraditable
B. Confirm the warrant, detain the driver, and notify Michigan to extradite
C. Issue a citation and advise the driver to turn themselves in
D. Ignore the warrant unless it is a felony
Answer: B. Confirm the warrant, detain the driver, and notify Michigan to extradite
Rationale: Domestic violence misdemeanors are extraditable under federal law (18
USC 2265). LEIN hit requires confirmation and detention.
pg. 4
