TCOLE EXAM 2025 (TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW
ENFORCEMENT) REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | PROFESSOR VERIFIED
Introduction
This 2025 TCOLE licensing-exam simulation is designed to mirror the structure, rigor,
and topical balance of the official Texas peace-officer licensing test.
The content spans seven core domains: Texas Criminal Law & Procedure; Law
Enforcement Procedures & Tactics; Ethics & Professional Conduct; Community Relations
& Policing; Officer Safety & Survival; Traffic Enforcement & Accident Investigation; and
Civil Liability & Legal Standards.
Every question is original, scenario-driven, and aligned with 2025 TCOLE knowledge
and skill expectations. Mastery of this set supports entry-level readiness and a top-
percentile score.
General Instructions
• 60 multiple-choice questions (matches live exam length)
• Choose the single best answer for each item
• Each item includes a bold-face correct answer (Adobe Devanagari) and a concise
solution citing Texas statutes, case law, or recognized best-practice sources
• No external material is required; assume Texas Penal Code, CCP, Transportation
Code, and current U.S. Supreme Court precedent
Examination
Question 1:
While conducting a warrantless walk-through of a private dwelling to locate a fleeing
felon, an officer opens a bedroom closet and discovers a stolen shotgun. Under which
exception may the firearm be lawfully seized?
A. Search-incident-to-arrest
B. Plain-view doctrine
C. Hot-pursuit extension (Grab-area)
D. Consent sweep
Answer: C. Hot-pursuit extension (Grab-area)
Solution: Texas CCP Art. 14.05 and the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Santana
allow officers in fresh pursuit to enter a home and search any area where the suspect
pg. 1
,may hide or obtain a weapon. The closet was within the immediate control area of the
pursued felon, making the discovery lawful under the hot-pursuit extension; the other
doctrines do not apply because no arrest had yet occurred, the weapon was not in plain
view, and consent was absent.
Question 2:
An off-duty officer working private security at a mall observes a shopper conceal a pair
of jeans and exit the store without paying. The merchant requests the officer to make
the stop. Which statement best reflects the officer’s lawful authority?
A. The officer may arrest only if the merchant first makes a private person’s detention
B. The officer has no authority while off duty; must call 9-1-1
C. The officer may exercise full peace-officer authority and arrest for theft
D. The officer may detain but must release if the value is under $100
Answer: C. The officer may exercise full peace-officer authority and arrest for theft
Solution: Under Texas CCP Art. 2.13(a) a licensed peace officer retains statewide
authority 24/7, on or off duty. The theft is committed in the officer’s presence, satisfying
the statutory element for immediate arrest. No merchant detention is prerequisite, and
value thresholds affect charge grade (PC 31.03(e)), not arrest authority.
Question 3:
A patrol supervisor learns that an officer accepted a free meal from a restaurant owner
whose establishment is located on the officer’s beat. Which ethical canon is most
directly violated?
A. Gratuities standard—accepting items that might influence discretionary acts
B. Bribery statute—requires intent to delay or forego an arrest
C. Moonlighting restriction—accepting secondary employment without permit
D. Conduct unbecoming—only if the meal exceeds $50
Answer: A. Gratuities standard—accepting items that might influence
discretionary acts
Solution: TCOLE Rule 217.11 requires officers to reject any gratuity that could
reasonably be construed as influencing official conduct. Intent to perform or forego a
specific act is unnecessary; the appearance of impropriety alone violates the canon.
Bribery (PC 36.02) requires a quid-pro-quo agreement, moonlighting is unrelated, and
no de-minimis dollar threshold exists in the rule.
Question 4:
During a high-risk traffic stop on a rural highway, the driver exits aggressively shouting
and reaches behind his back. Which tactic best balances officer safety with
constitutional limits?
pg. 2
, A. Immediate deadly force because furtive movement creates presumption of weapon
B. Command the driver to show hands, utilize available cover, and direct lethal force only
if weapon is observed
C. Deploy OC spray while driver is still inside vehicle
D. Conduct a felony stop without verbal commands to minimize exposure
Answer: B. Command the driver to show hands, utilize available cover, and direct
lethal force only if weapon is observed
Solution: Tennessee v. Garner and Graham v. Connor require an objectively reasonable
belief of imminent deadly harm before using lethal force. Shouting and furtive
movement alone do not justify deadly force; officers must identify a weapon or
imminent threat. Option B applies time-tested felony-stop verbal control, uses cover, and
satisfies constitutional reasonableness.
Question 5:
While booking a juvenile for robbery, the officer discovers the youth is 14 years old and
has two prior adjudications for felony offenses. Under Texas Family Code Chap. 53,
which statement is correct?
A. The juvenile must be released to a parent because age under 15 prohibits detention
B. The juvenile may be detained in a secure facility pending transfer hearing
C. The juvenile may only be held in a county jail after certification as an adult
D. The juvenile is automatically transferred to adult court on any felony with two priors
Answer: B. The juvenile may be detained in a secure facility pending transfer
hearing
Solution: Fam. Code §54.01(e) allows a detention hearing; if the juvenile meets
statutory criteria (age 14+, prior felony adjudications, and probable cause for a new
felony), the court may order secure detention. Automatic transfer (§54.02) requires the
State to file a motion and the court to find probable cause and amenability factors; until
transfer, the juvenile remains in a certified juvenile facility, not county jail.
Question 6:
An officer stops a vehicle for failing to signal 100 ft before turning. The driver, a CCW
holder, hands over her LTC with her DL. A records check confirms the handgun is stolen.
Which action is legally supported?
A. Immediately arrest the driver for unlawful carrying because the gun is stolen
B. Seize the weapon as contraband and release the driver for later indictment
C. Arrest the driver for theft of a firearm; probable cause exists
D. Issue a warning for the traffic violation; stolen gun notification goes to detectives only
Answer: B. Seize the weapon as contraband and release the driver for later
indictment
pg. 3
ENFORCEMENT) REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | PROFESSOR VERIFIED
Introduction
This 2025 TCOLE licensing-exam simulation is designed to mirror the structure, rigor,
and topical balance of the official Texas peace-officer licensing test.
The content spans seven core domains: Texas Criminal Law & Procedure; Law
Enforcement Procedures & Tactics; Ethics & Professional Conduct; Community Relations
& Policing; Officer Safety & Survival; Traffic Enforcement & Accident Investigation; and
Civil Liability & Legal Standards.
Every question is original, scenario-driven, and aligned with 2025 TCOLE knowledge
and skill expectations. Mastery of this set supports entry-level readiness and a top-
percentile score.
General Instructions
• 60 multiple-choice questions (matches live exam length)
• Choose the single best answer for each item
• Each item includes a bold-face correct answer (Adobe Devanagari) and a concise
solution citing Texas statutes, case law, or recognized best-practice sources
• No external material is required; assume Texas Penal Code, CCP, Transportation
Code, and current U.S. Supreme Court precedent
Examination
Question 1:
While conducting a warrantless walk-through of a private dwelling to locate a fleeing
felon, an officer opens a bedroom closet and discovers a stolen shotgun. Under which
exception may the firearm be lawfully seized?
A. Search-incident-to-arrest
B. Plain-view doctrine
C. Hot-pursuit extension (Grab-area)
D. Consent sweep
Answer: C. Hot-pursuit extension (Grab-area)
Solution: Texas CCP Art. 14.05 and the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Santana
allow officers in fresh pursuit to enter a home and search any area where the suspect
pg. 1
,may hide or obtain a weapon. The closet was within the immediate control area of the
pursued felon, making the discovery lawful under the hot-pursuit extension; the other
doctrines do not apply because no arrest had yet occurred, the weapon was not in plain
view, and consent was absent.
Question 2:
An off-duty officer working private security at a mall observes a shopper conceal a pair
of jeans and exit the store without paying. The merchant requests the officer to make
the stop. Which statement best reflects the officer’s lawful authority?
A. The officer may arrest only if the merchant first makes a private person’s detention
B. The officer has no authority while off duty; must call 9-1-1
C. The officer may exercise full peace-officer authority and arrest for theft
D. The officer may detain but must release if the value is under $100
Answer: C. The officer may exercise full peace-officer authority and arrest for theft
Solution: Under Texas CCP Art. 2.13(a) a licensed peace officer retains statewide
authority 24/7, on or off duty. The theft is committed in the officer’s presence, satisfying
the statutory element for immediate arrest. No merchant detention is prerequisite, and
value thresholds affect charge grade (PC 31.03(e)), not arrest authority.
Question 3:
A patrol supervisor learns that an officer accepted a free meal from a restaurant owner
whose establishment is located on the officer’s beat. Which ethical canon is most
directly violated?
A. Gratuities standard—accepting items that might influence discretionary acts
B. Bribery statute—requires intent to delay or forego an arrest
C. Moonlighting restriction—accepting secondary employment without permit
D. Conduct unbecoming—only if the meal exceeds $50
Answer: A. Gratuities standard—accepting items that might influence
discretionary acts
Solution: TCOLE Rule 217.11 requires officers to reject any gratuity that could
reasonably be construed as influencing official conduct. Intent to perform or forego a
specific act is unnecessary; the appearance of impropriety alone violates the canon.
Bribery (PC 36.02) requires a quid-pro-quo agreement, moonlighting is unrelated, and
no de-minimis dollar threshold exists in the rule.
Question 4:
During a high-risk traffic stop on a rural highway, the driver exits aggressively shouting
and reaches behind his back. Which tactic best balances officer safety with
constitutional limits?
pg. 2
, A. Immediate deadly force because furtive movement creates presumption of weapon
B. Command the driver to show hands, utilize available cover, and direct lethal force only
if weapon is observed
C. Deploy OC spray while driver is still inside vehicle
D. Conduct a felony stop without verbal commands to minimize exposure
Answer: B. Command the driver to show hands, utilize available cover, and direct
lethal force only if weapon is observed
Solution: Tennessee v. Garner and Graham v. Connor require an objectively reasonable
belief of imminent deadly harm before using lethal force. Shouting and furtive
movement alone do not justify deadly force; officers must identify a weapon or
imminent threat. Option B applies time-tested felony-stop verbal control, uses cover, and
satisfies constitutional reasonableness.
Question 5:
While booking a juvenile for robbery, the officer discovers the youth is 14 years old and
has two prior adjudications for felony offenses. Under Texas Family Code Chap. 53,
which statement is correct?
A. The juvenile must be released to a parent because age under 15 prohibits detention
B. The juvenile may be detained in a secure facility pending transfer hearing
C. The juvenile may only be held in a county jail after certification as an adult
D. The juvenile is automatically transferred to adult court on any felony with two priors
Answer: B. The juvenile may be detained in a secure facility pending transfer
hearing
Solution: Fam. Code §54.01(e) allows a detention hearing; if the juvenile meets
statutory criteria (age 14+, prior felony adjudications, and probable cause for a new
felony), the court may order secure detention. Automatic transfer (§54.02) requires the
State to file a motion and the court to find probable cause and amenability factors; until
transfer, the juvenile remains in a certified juvenile facility, not county jail.
Question 6:
An officer stops a vehicle for failing to signal 100 ft before turning. The driver, a CCW
holder, hands over her LTC with her DL. A records check confirms the handgun is stolen.
Which action is legally supported?
A. Immediately arrest the driver for unlawful carrying because the gun is stolen
B. Seize the weapon as contraband and release the driver for later indictment
C. Arrest the driver for theft of a firearm; probable cause exists
D. Issue a warning for the traffic violation; stolen gun notification goes to detectives only
Answer: B. Seize the weapon as contraband and release the driver for later
indictment
pg. 3
