SFO Test 1 Study Guide with correct
answers 100% 2026
Probable Cause - Correct Answers Sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime
has been committed or that certain property is connected with a crime
Reasonable Suspicion - Correct Answers That level of suspicion that would cause a reasonable
person, under the circumstances to believe that criminal activity has occurred or is occurring
Voluntary Encounters - Correct Answers Level 1 encounter. Can not make demands and must be
free/voluntary. Knock and talks, talking to anyone on the street voluntarily.
When can an officer search for weapons? - Correct Answers When they can articulate suspicion
that the person has weapons and poses a threat to the officer or others.
Detention or Stop - Correct Answers A peace officer may stop any individual in a public place
when the officer has a reasonable suspicion to believe the individual has committed or is in the
act of committing or is attempting to commit a public offense and may demand the individual's
name, address, date of birth, and an explanation of the individual's actions.
Terry Stop - Correct Answers Allows the police to briefly detain a person based on reasonable
suspicion of involvement in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than the
probable cause which is needed for an arrest. When police stop and search a pedestrian, this is
commonly known as a stop and frisk.
Demands during detainment - Correct Answers Name
Address
DOB
Explanation for conduct
,Time limits for detainment - Correct Answers A reasonable amount of time
Depends on the complexity and
the seriousness of the crime
Frisk - Correct Answers Outer patdown of clothing
What is the purpose of a frisk? - Correct Answers Officer Safety
When can an officer search for a weapon? - Correct Answers When the officer reasonably
believes he or any other person is in danger.
Consent search - Correct Answers A search based upon reasonable suspicion. Consent must be
given by the person who has legal authority of what may be.
Incidental to arrest - Correct Answers Search is strictly justified by the circumstances for which
the arrest was made. Search may be made of the person and the area in which the person was.
Search warrant - Correct Answers Judicial document authorizing police to search a person or
place to obtain evidence. Affidavit is submitted to a judge or magistrate to establish probable
cause that the search will yield evidence related to a crime
Plain view - Correct Answers A search may be made if evidence of criminal activity can be seen
without entry or search ex: Smell Hear Sight Feel Taste
Exigent circumstances - Correct Answers Also known as emergency conditions are
circumstances that would cause a reasonable officer to believe entry or search was necessary to
prevent physical harm to officers or others or; The destruction of relevant evidence or the
escape of a suspect would occur if the search or entry was not made
, Search - Correct Answers Does the citizen have a reasonable expectation of privacy? If yes that
is a search and if not then it is not a search.
Entering a home
Opening a door
Place GPS tracker
Opening car door
Taking blood or dna
Looking at cell phone
4th Amendment - Correct Answers The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Exclusionary Rule - Correct Answers Evidence obtained through illegal conduct or by illegal
means may be suppressed and not allowed to be used in court
Superman Rule - Correct Answers Officers can use any item or technology available to the
general public to enhance their senses. This includes flashlights, K-9s, binoculars. What an
officer can see hear or smell where the officer has a legal right to be.
Open field doctrine - Correct Answers Permits police officers to enter and search a field without
a warrant. May include any unoccupied or undeveloped area outside of the curtilage of the
home
Private Individuals - Correct Answers Constitution only gives you privacy from government, not
private individuals. Unless a government actor cannot direct a private individual to violate
someone's rights.
answers 100% 2026
Probable Cause - Correct Answers Sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime
has been committed or that certain property is connected with a crime
Reasonable Suspicion - Correct Answers That level of suspicion that would cause a reasonable
person, under the circumstances to believe that criminal activity has occurred or is occurring
Voluntary Encounters - Correct Answers Level 1 encounter. Can not make demands and must be
free/voluntary. Knock and talks, talking to anyone on the street voluntarily.
When can an officer search for weapons? - Correct Answers When they can articulate suspicion
that the person has weapons and poses a threat to the officer or others.
Detention or Stop - Correct Answers A peace officer may stop any individual in a public place
when the officer has a reasonable suspicion to believe the individual has committed or is in the
act of committing or is attempting to commit a public offense and may demand the individual's
name, address, date of birth, and an explanation of the individual's actions.
Terry Stop - Correct Answers Allows the police to briefly detain a person based on reasonable
suspicion of involvement in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than the
probable cause which is needed for an arrest. When police stop and search a pedestrian, this is
commonly known as a stop and frisk.
Demands during detainment - Correct Answers Name
Address
DOB
Explanation for conduct
,Time limits for detainment - Correct Answers A reasonable amount of time
Depends on the complexity and
the seriousness of the crime
Frisk - Correct Answers Outer patdown of clothing
What is the purpose of a frisk? - Correct Answers Officer Safety
When can an officer search for a weapon? - Correct Answers When the officer reasonably
believes he or any other person is in danger.
Consent search - Correct Answers A search based upon reasonable suspicion. Consent must be
given by the person who has legal authority of what may be.
Incidental to arrest - Correct Answers Search is strictly justified by the circumstances for which
the arrest was made. Search may be made of the person and the area in which the person was.
Search warrant - Correct Answers Judicial document authorizing police to search a person or
place to obtain evidence. Affidavit is submitted to a judge or magistrate to establish probable
cause that the search will yield evidence related to a crime
Plain view - Correct Answers A search may be made if evidence of criminal activity can be seen
without entry or search ex: Smell Hear Sight Feel Taste
Exigent circumstances - Correct Answers Also known as emergency conditions are
circumstances that would cause a reasonable officer to believe entry or search was necessary to
prevent physical harm to officers or others or; The destruction of relevant evidence or the
escape of a suspect would occur if the search or entry was not made
, Search - Correct Answers Does the citizen have a reasonable expectation of privacy? If yes that
is a search and if not then it is not a search.
Entering a home
Opening a door
Place GPS tracker
Opening car door
Taking blood or dna
Looking at cell phone
4th Amendment - Correct Answers The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Exclusionary Rule - Correct Answers Evidence obtained through illegal conduct or by illegal
means may be suppressed and not allowed to be used in court
Superman Rule - Correct Answers Officers can use any item or technology available to the
general public to enhance their senses. This includes flashlights, K-9s, binoculars. What an
officer can see hear or smell where the officer has a legal right to be.
Open field doctrine - Correct Answers Permits police officers to enter and search a field without
a warrant. May include any unoccupied or undeveloped area outside of the curtilage of the
home
Private Individuals - Correct Answers Constitution only gives you privacy from government, not
private individuals. Unless a government actor cannot direct a private individual to violate
someone's rights.
