CDCR MAJOR 3 EXAM REVIEW 2026
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH SOLVED
QUESTIONS
◉Identify information to be included in field notes. . Answer: Facts and
information that will aid that officer in answering questions—who, what,
when, where, how and why.
A. Field interviews
Gathering information from a person who has knowledge of the facts an
officer will need to conduct an investigation.
Interview must be clear, accurate and complete.
B. Before the interview
Separate involved parties
Established rapport
◉Three-step process for taking notices during a field interview: .
Answer: Listen attentively
Take notes and ask questions
Verify information
◉What are the primary questions that must be answered within an
effective report? . Answer: Who, what, when, where, how and why
,(Pay, date, time, inmate + CDCR # + housing, reason for report)
◉What fundamental content elements of effective reports: . Answer:
Initial information
Identification of involved parties
Witness/victim statements
Crime scene specifics
Property information
CDCR correctional officer actions
◉Initial information: . Answer: Describe the officer's immediate
observations of any action taken upon arrival at the scene.
◉Identification of the crime: . Answer: the facts, or the evidence of a
crime, referred to as the corpus delicti it, or the body of the crime
◉Identification of involved parties: . Answer: Can include the person(s)
who reported the incident, victim(s), witness(es), or suspect(s)
◉Witness/victim statements: . Answer: helps place events in their proper
sequence, establish the elements of the crime
◉Crime scene specifics: . Answer: Physical condition of the scene it's
self, chronology of events, location of physical evidence
,◉Property Information: . Answer: Such as brand names, model/serial
numbers, description (like color, unique markings and dimensions),
value of stolen item, identification of the owner/possessor/finder,
Location where the item was found or stolen from and relationship of
the item to the crime/incident
◉CDCR correctional officer actions: . Answer: Any stops, searches
conducted, seizures of evidence, arrest, standard procedures followed
(knock and notice, field show ups, etc), Miranda admonishments, use of
force, medical attention (offered, accepted, or refused), safety measures
taken, disposition of suspects, methods used to preserve evidence or
capture essential information
◉Six types of CDCR documents used by correctional peace officers
with its corresponding descriptions: . Answer: CDCR memorandum
Counseling only RVR
CDCR form 128-b General Chrono
CDCR form 837-c staff report
CDCR form 837-c1 supplement
CDCR 837-c2 review notice
◉CDCR memorandum . Answer: Written for a variety of reasons,
including lost staff ID card; observed misconduct by staff; or reports of
inspection
, ◉CDCR form 128-B general chrono . Answer: 3 types of this form:
INFORMATIONAL, LAUDATORY, AND CONFIDENTIAL
◉Counseling ONLY RVR . Answer: Used to document an inmates
minor misconduct
◉CDCR form 837-C STAFF REPORT and C1 . Answer: Supplement
(used to document an incident you observed or were involved in.
◉RVR . Answer: Used to document inmate misconduct or misbehavior
that is not minor; categorized as either serious or administrative
◉CDCR Form 837 C2 . Answer: REVIEW NOTICE (used when the
information you present on a CDCR form 837-C and C1 is unclear or
incomplete
◉Types of information classified as confidential: . Answer: •
Information, which, if known to the inmate, would endanger the safety
of any person
• Information which would jeopardize the security of the institution
• Specific medical or psychological information which, if known to the
inmate, would be medically or psychologically
detrimental to the inmate
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH SOLVED
QUESTIONS
◉Identify information to be included in field notes. . Answer: Facts and
information that will aid that officer in answering questions—who, what,
when, where, how and why.
A. Field interviews
Gathering information from a person who has knowledge of the facts an
officer will need to conduct an investigation.
Interview must be clear, accurate and complete.
B. Before the interview
Separate involved parties
Established rapport
◉Three-step process for taking notices during a field interview: .
Answer: Listen attentively
Take notes and ask questions
Verify information
◉What are the primary questions that must be answered within an
effective report? . Answer: Who, what, when, where, how and why
,(Pay, date, time, inmate + CDCR # + housing, reason for report)
◉What fundamental content elements of effective reports: . Answer:
Initial information
Identification of involved parties
Witness/victim statements
Crime scene specifics
Property information
CDCR correctional officer actions
◉Initial information: . Answer: Describe the officer's immediate
observations of any action taken upon arrival at the scene.
◉Identification of the crime: . Answer: the facts, or the evidence of a
crime, referred to as the corpus delicti it, or the body of the crime
◉Identification of involved parties: . Answer: Can include the person(s)
who reported the incident, victim(s), witness(es), or suspect(s)
◉Witness/victim statements: . Answer: helps place events in their proper
sequence, establish the elements of the crime
◉Crime scene specifics: . Answer: Physical condition of the scene it's
self, chronology of events, location of physical evidence
,◉Property Information: . Answer: Such as brand names, model/serial
numbers, description (like color, unique markings and dimensions),
value of stolen item, identification of the owner/possessor/finder,
Location where the item was found or stolen from and relationship of
the item to the crime/incident
◉CDCR correctional officer actions: . Answer: Any stops, searches
conducted, seizures of evidence, arrest, standard procedures followed
(knock and notice, field show ups, etc), Miranda admonishments, use of
force, medical attention (offered, accepted, or refused), safety measures
taken, disposition of suspects, methods used to preserve evidence or
capture essential information
◉Six types of CDCR documents used by correctional peace officers
with its corresponding descriptions: . Answer: CDCR memorandum
Counseling only RVR
CDCR form 128-b General Chrono
CDCR form 837-c staff report
CDCR form 837-c1 supplement
CDCR 837-c2 review notice
◉CDCR memorandum . Answer: Written for a variety of reasons,
including lost staff ID card; observed misconduct by staff; or reports of
inspection
, ◉CDCR form 128-B general chrono . Answer: 3 types of this form:
INFORMATIONAL, LAUDATORY, AND CONFIDENTIAL
◉Counseling ONLY RVR . Answer: Used to document an inmates
minor misconduct
◉CDCR form 837-C STAFF REPORT and C1 . Answer: Supplement
(used to document an incident you observed or were involved in.
◉RVR . Answer: Used to document inmate misconduct or misbehavior
that is not minor; categorized as either serious or administrative
◉CDCR Form 837 C2 . Answer: REVIEW NOTICE (used when the
information you present on a CDCR form 837-C and C1 is unclear or
incomplete
◉Types of information classified as confidential: . Answer: •
Information, which, if known to the inmate, would endanger the safety
of any person
• Information which would jeopardize the security of the institution
• Specific medical or psychological information which, if known to the
inmate, would be medically or psychologically
detrimental to the inmate
