Ace the Barkley POST 2026: Essential
Practice Questions and Rationales
Section A: Reading Comprehension & Memory (Questions 1-5)
You will have two minutes to study the following incident description.
After the time is up, you will answer questions without looking back.
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION (Memorize this now):
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at approximately 4:15 PM, Officer R.
Cruz was dispatched to a reported theft at "QuickStop Convenience,"
located at 2345 Maple Avenue. The store clerk, Mr. Aris Singh, reported
that a suspect entered the store at 4:05 PM, selected three energy drinks
and a bag of chips, and walked out without paying. Mr. Singh described
the suspect as a male, approximately 25-30 years old, wearing a dark
blue hooded sweatshirt with a white logo on the left chest, black jeans,
and red sneakers. The suspect had short brown hair and a tattoo of a bird
(possibly an eagle) on the right side of his neck. He was last seen
heading east on Maple Avenue on foot. No vehicle was observed. The
total value of the stolen items was $18.47.
(Time's up. Do not scroll back. Answer Questions 1-5.)
1. What was the date of the incident?
A. October 5, 2024
B. October 8, 2024
C. October 18, 2024
D. Tuesday, October 9, 2024
,2. What was the suspect's clothing?
A. Black hoodie, blue jeans, white shoes
B. Dark blue hoodie with a logo, black jeans, red sneakers
C. Blue jacket, khaki pants, black boots
D. Red sweatshirt, black jeans, white sneakers
3. What distinguishing feature did the suspect have?
A. A scar on his forehead
B. A tattoo of a snake on his arm
C. A tattoo of a bird on his neck
D. A large birthmark on his cheek
4. What was the total value of the stolen items?
A. Approximately $18.00
B. $18.47
C. $22.50
D. Not stated
5. Which direction did the suspect flee?
A. West on Maple Avenue
B. North on 23rd Street
C. East on Maple Avenue
D. Southbound on foot
Answers & Rationales (1-5):
1. B. October 8, 2024. (Rationale: The description clearly states "On
Tuesday, October 8, 2024." Specific dates and times are classic
memory test targets.)
2. B. Dark blue hoodie with a logo, black jeans, red
sneakers. (Rationale: Accuracy in descriptive details is paramount.
The color, type of clothing, and specific logo placement are all
testable.)
3. C. A tattoo of a bird on his neck. (Rationale: Distinguishing
features like tattoos are critical for identification. Note the
specificity: "bird (possibly an eagle)" and "right side of his neck.")
, 4. B. $18.47. (Rationale: Exact monetary values are often tested to
assess precision in observation, not just rounding.)
5. C. East on Maple Avenue. (Rationale: Direction of flight is an
essential operational detail for responding officers.)
Section B: Logical Reasoning & Judgment (Questions 6-12)
6. All sworn officers must complete annual firearms qualification.
Officer Chen is a sworn officer. What must Officer Chen do?
A. Complete firearms qualification if her sergeant tells her to.
B. Complete annual firearms qualification.
C. Complete firearms qualification every two years.
D. Not necessarily complete it, as there may be exceptions.
Answer & Rationale:
• B. Complete annual firearms qualification. (Rationale: This is
pure deductive logic. If all sworn officers must do X, and Officer
Chen is a sworn officer, then Officer Chen must do X. Do not infer
exceptions not stated.)
7. You are on patrol and observe a car drifting slightly over the lane
line multiple times. Your most appropriate first action is to:
A. Immediately initiate a high-risk traffic stop, as the driver may be
dangerous.
B. Activate your emergency lights and siren to pull the car over for DUI
investigation.
C. Continue to observe the vehicle from a safe distance, gathering more
information on its speed, signaling, and pattern before deciding to stop
it.
D. Ignore the behavior, as it is minor and not a violation.
Answer & Rationale:
Practice Questions and Rationales
Section A: Reading Comprehension & Memory (Questions 1-5)
You will have two minutes to study the following incident description.
After the time is up, you will answer questions without looking back.
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION (Memorize this now):
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at approximately 4:15 PM, Officer R.
Cruz was dispatched to a reported theft at "QuickStop Convenience,"
located at 2345 Maple Avenue. The store clerk, Mr. Aris Singh, reported
that a suspect entered the store at 4:05 PM, selected three energy drinks
and a bag of chips, and walked out without paying. Mr. Singh described
the suspect as a male, approximately 25-30 years old, wearing a dark
blue hooded sweatshirt with a white logo on the left chest, black jeans,
and red sneakers. The suspect had short brown hair and a tattoo of a bird
(possibly an eagle) on the right side of his neck. He was last seen
heading east on Maple Avenue on foot. No vehicle was observed. The
total value of the stolen items was $18.47.
(Time's up. Do not scroll back. Answer Questions 1-5.)
1. What was the date of the incident?
A. October 5, 2024
B. October 8, 2024
C. October 18, 2024
D. Tuesday, October 9, 2024
,2. What was the suspect's clothing?
A. Black hoodie, blue jeans, white shoes
B. Dark blue hoodie with a logo, black jeans, red sneakers
C. Blue jacket, khaki pants, black boots
D. Red sweatshirt, black jeans, white sneakers
3. What distinguishing feature did the suspect have?
A. A scar on his forehead
B. A tattoo of a snake on his arm
C. A tattoo of a bird on his neck
D. A large birthmark on his cheek
4. What was the total value of the stolen items?
A. Approximately $18.00
B. $18.47
C. $22.50
D. Not stated
5. Which direction did the suspect flee?
A. West on Maple Avenue
B. North on 23rd Street
C. East on Maple Avenue
D. Southbound on foot
Answers & Rationales (1-5):
1. B. October 8, 2024. (Rationale: The description clearly states "On
Tuesday, October 8, 2024." Specific dates and times are classic
memory test targets.)
2. B. Dark blue hoodie with a logo, black jeans, red
sneakers. (Rationale: Accuracy in descriptive details is paramount.
The color, type of clothing, and specific logo placement are all
testable.)
3. C. A tattoo of a bird on his neck. (Rationale: Distinguishing
features like tattoos are critical for identification. Note the
specificity: "bird (possibly an eagle)" and "right side of his neck.")
, 4. B. $18.47. (Rationale: Exact monetary values are often tested to
assess precision in observation, not just rounding.)
5. C. East on Maple Avenue. (Rationale: Direction of flight is an
essential operational detail for responding officers.)
Section B: Logical Reasoning & Judgment (Questions 6-12)
6. All sworn officers must complete annual firearms qualification.
Officer Chen is a sworn officer. What must Officer Chen do?
A. Complete firearms qualification if her sergeant tells her to.
B. Complete annual firearms qualification.
C. Complete firearms qualification every two years.
D. Not necessarily complete it, as there may be exceptions.
Answer & Rationale:
• B. Complete annual firearms qualification. (Rationale: This is
pure deductive logic. If all sworn officers must do X, and Officer
Chen is a sworn officer, then Officer Chen must do X. Do not infer
exceptions not stated.)
7. You are on patrol and observe a car drifting slightly over the lane
line multiple times. Your most appropriate first action is to:
A. Immediately initiate a high-risk traffic stop, as the driver may be
dangerous.
B. Activate your emergency lights and siren to pull the car over for DUI
investigation.
C. Continue to observe the vehicle from a safe distance, gathering more
information on its speed, signaling, and pattern before deciding to stop
it.
D. Ignore the behavior, as it is minor and not a violation.
Answer & Rationale:
