OPOTA Practice Test Study Guide (NEW Updated Version 2025/2026) 650 Exam-Style Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed Explanations for Law Enforcement Certification Candidates

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OPOTA Exam (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) | GUARANTEED
PASS A+ UPDATED THIS YEAR

Explain the relationship between a SPO and a test question - CORRECT ANSWER A test
question must respond directly to an SPO and every SPO may be the basis of a test question



QUESTION :Explain the ultimate reason for law enforcement training - CORRECT ANSWER
To be able to protect the life and property of yourself and the public




QUESTION :List a peace officer's main goals - CORRECT ANSWER - Enforce the laws

- Preserve the peace,

- Prevent crime

- Protect civil rights and liberties

- Provide services



QUESTION :Explain items to consider when exercising discretion - CORRECT ANSWER -
Use sound judgment to determine which laws are to be formally enforced

- Determine if there is a more constructive remedy without arrest or citation



QUESTION :Explain the factors necessary for the commission of crime - CORRECT ANSWER
Desire - the motivation behind criminal behavior

Victim - potential target, unaware of surroundings

Opportunity - crime prevention strategies



QUESTION :State the core concepts of community policing - CORRECT ANSWER -
partnership between community and police

-crime prevention


2026 2027 GRADED A+

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-organizational change of agency

-problem solving approach to police role is proactive



QUESTION :Considerations for off duty situations - CORRECT ANSWER Behavior - social
media, uphold ethics

Situational Awareness- be alert, pre plan, off duty weapon policy, be a good witness



QUESTION :State the purpose of Bill of Rights - CORRECT ANSWER protect a
individual's freedoms

-prevent government from interfering in protected rights



QUESTION :Describe the major components of the criminal justice system - CORRECT
ANSWER Law Enforcement

Courts - hold fair & impartial trials, guilt or innocence, Impose sentences

Corrections - supervise offender




QUESTION :Goals of Sentencing - CORRECT ANSWER -protect society

-punish offender/rehabilitate

-restore the victim



QUESTION :Recognize the tenets of the Below 100 - CORRECT ANSWER -wear your
seatbelt

-wear your vest

-WIN what's important now

-watch your speed

-complacency kills


2026 2027 GRADED A+

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QUESTION :Lawful - CORRECT ANSWER defined by laws and standards




QUESTION :Criminal Law - CORRECT ANSWER identifies what actions are prohibited




QUESTION :Rules of Agency - CORRECT ANSWER Administrative rules, general orders




QUESTION :Constitutional Law - CORRECT ANSWER amendments




QUESTION :Police Legitimacy - CORRECT ANSWER exists when the public view the
police as authorized to exercise power in order to maintain social order, manage conflicts, and solve
problems in community



QUESTION :Judgement 1/3

public trust and confidence in police as being honest, trying to do jobs well, and protecting
community - CORRECT ANSWER Result

individuals are more likely to become actively involved in police community partnerships



QUESTION :Judgment #2

public willingness to defer the law and police authority - CORRECT ANSWER Result

Correlation between those who obey and those who view police as legitimate, cooperate by
reporting crimes and providing information



QUESTION :Judgement #3

public belief that police actions are morally justified and appropriate - CORRECT ANSWER
Result



2026 2027 GRADED A+

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citizens are more likely to cooperate and defer in moments of crisis



QUESTION :circumstances when filming police officers is permissible - CORRECT ANSWER
-one party consents

-as long as it does not interfere with officers carrying out their duties




QUESTION :Race - CORRECT ANSWER modern concept used to classify people by
similar, observable physical characteristics



QUESTION :Genetically influenced traits - CORRECT ANSWER Skin color, hair, eye
shape, blood type, intelligence



QUESTION :connection between in / out groups, and police legitimacy - CORRECT ANSWER
some people interpret their encounters with police in terms of their group's societal position rather
than immediate circumstances of the police contact



QUESTION :Types of Racism - CORRECT ANSWER individual, interpersonal,
institutional, structural



QUESTION :Individual Racism - CORRECT ANSWER internalized, unexpressed biases
and prejudices based on race



QUESTION :Interpersonal Racism - CORRECT ANSWER occurs between individuals,
public expressions of racial prejudice and hate



QUESTION :institutional racism - CORRECT ANSWER discriminatory policies and
treatment by institutions




2026 2027 GRADED A+