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New York Police Officer Written Examination
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
New York Police Officer Written Examination – Practice Questions
QUESTION 1
A police officer responds to a call about a suspicious person loitering near a school. Upon arrival, the
officer observes an individual matching the description pacing nervously near the entrance. Which
action should the officer take FIRST?
| ○ A. Draw their weapon and order the suspect to the ground |
| ○ B. Call for backup and maintain visual contact |
| ● C. Approach the individual and initiate a conversation |
| ○ D. Leave the scene and return later |
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The officer's first action should be to approach the individual and initiate a conversation to
assess the situation. This aligns with community policing principles and allows the officer to gather
information before escalating the response.
QUESTION 2
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In the New York City Police Department, which rank is directly above Sergeant in the chain of
command?
| ○ A. Captain |
| ● B. Lieutenant |
| ○ C. Deputy Inspector |
| ○ D. Chief of Patrol |
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NYPD chain of command progresses from Police Officer to Sergeant, then Lieutenant,
Captain, Deputy Inspector, Inspector, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Department.
QUESTION 3
A 55-year-old male is arrested for DWI. His blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is measured at 0.18%. In
New York State, what is the legal BAC limit for driving while intoxicated?
| ○ A. 0.04% |
| ○ B. 0.06% |
| ● C. 0.08% |
| ○ D. 0.10% |
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In New York State, the legal limit for driving while intoxicated is a blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) of 0.08% for persons age 21 and older.
QUESTION 4
Which Supreme Court case established that evidence obtained through an unlawful search and
seizure is inadmissible in state courts?
| ○ A. Miranda v. Arizona |
| ○ B. Terry v. Ohio |
| ● C. Mapp v. Ohio |
| ○ D. Gideon v. Wainwright |
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mapp v. Ohio (1961) established the exclusionary rule, which states that evidence obtained
through illegal searches and seizures cannot be used in state court proceedings.
QUESTION 5
The NYPD officer's shield number serves what primary purpose?
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| ○ A. To identify the officer's precinct assignment |
| ● B. To provide unique identification for each officer |
| ○ C. To indicate the officer's rank |
| ○ D. To track overtime hours |
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The officer's shield number provides a unique identification number for the officer, similar to
a badge number.
QUESTION 6
A police officer stops a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon approaching the car, the officer observes a
handgun in plain view on the passenger seat. Which legal doctrine permits the officer to seize the
weapon?
| ○ A. Stop and frisk |
| ● B. Plain view doctrine |
| ○ C. Exigent circumstances |
| ○ D. Terry stop |
Correct Answer: B
New York Police Officer Written Examination
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
New York Police Officer Written Examination – Practice Questions
QUESTION 1
A police officer responds to a call about a suspicious person loitering near a school. Upon arrival, the
officer observes an individual matching the description pacing nervously near the entrance. Which
action should the officer take FIRST?
| ○ A. Draw their weapon and order the suspect to the ground |
| ○ B. Call for backup and maintain visual contact |
| ● C. Approach the individual and initiate a conversation |
| ○ D. Leave the scene and return later |
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The officer's first action should be to approach the individual and initiate a conversation to
assess the situation. This aligns with community policing principles and allows the officer to gather
information before escalating the response.
QUESTION 2
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In the New York City Police Department, which rank is directly above Sergeant in the chain of
command?
| ○ A. Captain |
| ● B. Lieutenant |
| ○ C. Deputy Inspector |
| ○ D. Chief of Patrol |
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NYPD chain of command progresses from Police Officer to Sergeant, then Lieutenant,
Captain, Deputy Inspector, Inspector, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Department.
QUESTION 3
A 55-year-old male is arrested for DWI. His blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is measured at 0.18%. In
New York State, what is the legal BAC limit for driving while intoxicated?
| ○ A. 0.04% |
| ○ B. 0.06% |
| ● C. 0.08% |
| ○ D. 0.10% |
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In New York State, the legal limit for driving while intoxicated is a blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) of 0.08% for persons age 21 and older.
QUESTION 4
Which Supreme Court case established that evidence obtained through an unlawful search and
seizure is inadmissible in state courts?
| ○ A. Miranda v. Arizona |
| ○ B. Terry v. Ohio |
| ● C. Mapp v. Ohio |
| ○ D. Gideon v. Wainwright |
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mapp v. Ohio (1961) established the exclusionary rule, which states that evidence obtained
through illegal searches and seizures cannot be used in state court proceedings.
QUESTION 5
The NYPD officer's shield number serves what primary purpose?
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| ○ A. To identify the officer's precinct assignment |
| ● B. To provide unique identification for each officer |
| ○ C. To indicate the officer's rank |
| ○ D. To track overtime hours |
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The officer's shield number provides a unique identification number for the officer, similar to
a badge number.
QUESTION 6
A police officer stops a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon approaching the car, the officer observes a
handgun in plain view on the passenger seat. Which legal doctrine permits the officer to seize the
weapon?
| ○ A. Stop and frisk |
| ● B. Plain view doctrine |
| ○ C. Exigent circumstances |
| ○ D. Terry stop |
Correct Answer: B
