Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS PLUS RATIONALES
2026 |INSTANT DOWNOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is required for a lawful arrest in
Texas?
A. Probable cause
B. Verbal warning
C. Consent from the suspect
D. Written warrant
*Correct answer: A. Probable cause — An officer must have
probable cause to believe a crime has been committed or is
being committed to make a lawful arrest.
**2. Under Texas law, a peace officer may use force to: **
A. Prevent escape
B. Protect themselves
C. Coerce a confession
D. Carry out a civil duty
*Correct answer: A. Prevent escape, B. Protect themselves —
Force may only be used for lawful purposes like self-defense or
preventing a suspect from escaping, not to coerce or punish.
3. What is the primary purpose of the Texas Penal Code?
A. Provide definitions for crimes
B. Set penalties for crimes
C. Outline officer responsibilities
D. Govern civil disputes
,*Correct answer: A. Provide definitions for crimes, B. Set
penalties for crimes — The Penal Code defines criminal offenses
and establishes corresponding penalties.
4. Which of the following is true regarding traffic stops in
Texas?
A. Officers must have reasonable suspicion
B. Stops can be made without any suspicion
C. Stops must always be videotaped
D. Consent is not required to ask questions during a stop
*Correct answer: A. Officers must have reasonable suspicion —
Reasonable suspicion that a law has been violated is required to
justify a traffic stop.
5. The Miranda warning applies when:
A. The suspect is in custody
B. The suspect is being interrogated
C. The suspect is driving a vehicle
D. The officer issues a citation
*Correct answer: A. The suspect is in custody, B. The suspect is
being interrogated — Miranda warnings are required before
custodial interrogation to protect the suspect’s Fifth
Amendment rights.
6. When can a Texas officer conduct a search without a
warrant?
A. Consent
B. Probable cause in plain view
C. After making an arrest
,D. Any time they feel suspicious
*Correct answer: A. Consent, B. Probable cause in plain view, C.
After making an arrest — Warrantless searches are only valid
under specific exceptions like consent, exigent circumstances, or
incident to arrest.
7. Which of the following is considered deadly force under
Texas law?
A. Striking with hands only
B. Discharging a firearm
C. Using a vehicle to stop a suspect
D. Tasing a suspect at close range
*Correct answer: B. Discharging a firearm, C. Using a vehicle to
stop a suspect — Deadly force is force likely to cause death or
serious bodily injury.
8. According to TCOLE standards, officer ethics require:
A. Honesty in reports
B. Avoiding conflicts of interest
C. Using force to intimidate
D. Protecting community trust
*Correct answer: A. Honesty in reports, B. Avoiding conflicts of
interest, D. Protecting community trust — Ethical conduct
ensures accountability, fairness, and public trust in law
enforcement.
9. Which of the following are elements of a valid warrant?
A. Issuing magistrate signature
B. Description of the place to be searched
, C. Probable cause statement
D. Officer’s personal opinion
*Correct answer: A. Issuing magistrate signature, B. Description
of the place to be searched, C. Probable cause statement — A
valid warrant must be authorized by a magistrate and include
probable cause and location details.
10. When can an officer use handcuffs on a suspect?
A. Always during traffic stops
B. When the suspect poses a risk of flight or danger
C. During lawful arrests
D. Only with supervisor approval
*Correct answer: B. When the suspect poses a risk of flight or
danger, C. During lawful arrests — Handcuffs may be used to
ensure safety and prevent escape, not arbitrarily.
11. Texas law requires officers to complete which type of
continuing education?
A. Legal updates
B. Firearms training
C. Defensive tactics
D. Community service hours
*Correct answer: A. Legal updates, B. Firearms training, C.
Defensive tactics — Continuing education ensures officers
remain competent in law enforcement duties and legal
requirements.
12. Which of the following are duties of a peace officer under
Texas law?
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS PLUS RATIONALES
2026 |INSTANT DOWNOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is required for a lawful arrest in
Texas?
A. Probable cause
B. Verbal warning
C. Consent from the suspect
D. Written warrant
*Correct answer: A. Probable cause — An officer must have
probable cause to believe a crime has been committed or is
being committed to make a lawful arrest.
**2. Under Texas law, a peace officer may use force to: **
A. Prevent escape
B. Protect themselves
C. Coerce a confession
D. Carry out a civil duty
*Correct answer: A. Prevent escape, B. Protect themselves —
Force may only be used for lawful purposes like self-defense or
preventing a suspect from escaping, not to coerce or punish.
3. What is the primary purpose of the Texas Penal Code?
A. Provide definitions for crimes
B. Set penalties for crimes
C. Outline officer responsibilities
D. Govern civil disputes
,*Correct answer: A. Provide definitions for crimes, B. Set
penalties for crimes — The Penal Code defines criminal offenses
and establishes corresponding penalties.
4. Which of the following is true regarding traffic stops in
Texas?
A. Officers must have reasonable suspicion
B. Stops can be made without any suspicion
C. Stops must always be videotaped
D. Consent is not required to ask questions during a stop
*Correct answer: A. Officers must have reasonable suspicion —
Reasonable suspicion that a law has been violated is required to
justify a traffic stop.
5. The Miranda warning applies when:
A. The suspect is in custody
B. The suspect is being interrogated
C. The suspect is driving a vehicle
D. The officer issues a citation
*Correct answer: A. The suspect is in custody, B. The suspect is
being interrogated — Miranda warnings are required before
custodial interrogation to protect the suspect’s Fifth
Amendment rights.
6. When can a Texas officer conduct a search without a
warrant?
A. Consent
B. Probable cause in plain view
C. After making an arrest
,D. Any time they feel suspicious
*Correct answer: A. Consent, B. Probable cause in plain view, C.
After making an arrest — Warrantless searches are only valid
under specific exceptions like consent, exigent circumstances, or
incident to arrest.
7. Which of the following is considered deadly force under
Texas law?
A. Striking with hands only
B. Discharging a firearm
C. Using a vehicle to stop a suspect
D. Tasing a suspect at close range
*Correct answer: B. Discharging a firearm, C. Using a vehicle to
stop a suspect — Deadly force is force likely to cause death or
serious bodily injury.
8. According to TCOLE standards, officer ethics require:
A. Honesty in reports
B. Avoiding conflicts of interest
C. Using force to intimidate
D. Protecting community trust
*Correct answer: A. Honesty in reports, B. Avoiding conflicts of
interest, D. Protecting community trust — Ethical conduct
ensures accountability, fairness, and public trust in law
enforcement.
9. Which of the following are elements of a valid warrant?
A. Issuing magistrate signature
B. Description of the place to be searched
, C. Probable cause statement
D. Officer’s personal opinion
*Correct answer: A. Issuing magistrate signature, B. Description
of the place to be searched, C. Probable cause statement — A
valid warrant must be authorized by a magistrate and include
probable cause and location details.
10. When can an officer use handcuffs on a suspect?
A. Always during traffic stops
B. When the suspect poses a risk of flight or danger
C. During lawful arrests
D. Only with supervisor approval
*Correct answer: B. When the suspect poses a risk of flight or
danger, C. During lawful arrests — Handcuffs may be used to
ensure safety and prevent escape, not arbitrarily.
11. Texas law requires officers to complete which type of
continuing education?
A. Legal updates
B. Firearms training
C. Defensive tactics
D. Community service hours
*Correct answer: A. Legal updates, B. Firearms training, C.
Defensive tactics — Continuing education ensures officers
remain competent in law enforcement duties and legal
requirements.
12. Which of the following are duties of a peace officer under
Texas law?
