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MISSOURI POST Newest Exam Preparation With
Complete Questions And Correct Answers With
Rationales Already Graded A+Brand New Version!!
QUESTION 1
A law enforcement officer stops a vehicle for a traffic violation. During
the stop, the officer observes a handgun in plain view on the passenger
seat. The driver does not have a concealed carry permit. Under
Missouri law, what is the most appropriate action?
A) Seize the handgun and arrest the driver for unlawful possession of a
firearm
B) Seize the handgun and issue a citation for unlawful carry
C) Seize the handgun and release the driver if no other violations exist
D) Ignore the handgun because it is in plain view and not concealed
Answer: A
Explanation: Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 571.030, unlawful
possession of a firearm can include carrying a concealed weapon
without a permit. While Missouri is a constitutional carry state for
residents over 19 who may legally possess firearms, there are
restrictions. However, in this scenario the handgun is observed in plain
view on the passenger seat, so it is not concealed. The issue is unlawful
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possession if the driver is prohibited. Absent information that the driver
is prohibited, the plain view doctrine allows seizure of evidence of a
crime if the officer has probable cause. The most appropriate action is
to seize the handgun and address the carry violation as per statute.
QUESTION 2
An officer responds to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, the
officer hears screaming from inside the residence and observes broken
glass near the front door. The officer knocks and announces presence,
but no one answers. The officer forces entry without a warrant. This
action is:
A) Illegal without a warrant regardless of exigency
B) Justified under exigent circumstances
C) Justified only if the officer obtains consent later
D) Illegal because the officer did not wait for a warrant
Answer: B
Explanation: Under the exigent circumstances exception to the warrant
requirement, law enforcement may enter a residence without a warrant
if there is probable cause to believe that someone inside is in immediate
danger. The screaming and broken glass provide probable cause of an
ongoing emergency. This is consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court
decision in Brigham City v. Stuart, which held that warrantless entry is
permissible when officers have an objectively reasonable basis to
believe an emergency exists.
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QUESTION 3
During a traffic stop, the driver appears nervous and is sweating
profusely. The officer asks the driver to step out of the vehicle. The
driver refuses. The officer may:
A) Physically remove the driver from the vehicle
B) Issue a citation for the traffic violation and leave
C) Call for a supervisor to order the driver out
D) Threaten arrest if the driver does not comply
Answer: A
Explanation: In Pennsylvania v. Mimms, the U.S. Supreme Court held
that an officer may order a driver out of a vehicle during a lawful traffic
stop as a matter of officer safety. The driver's refusal does not create a
right to resist. The officer may physically remove the driver if necessary
to ensure safety or to complete the stop, provided the force used is
reasonable under the circumstances.
QUESTION 4
An officer is investigating a burglary in progress at a commercial
building. The officer hears footsteps inside and announces presence. A
suspect runs out the back door. The officer gives chase and tackles the
suspect. The suspect sustains a minor injury. The officer's use of force
is:
A) Excessive and violates the suspect's rights
B) Justified because the officer was effecting an arrest
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C) Justified only if the suspect was armed
D) Excessive because the officer should have used less force
Answer: B
Explanation: Under Graham v. Connor, claims of excessive force are
evaluated under an objective reasonableness standard. The officer's use
of force must be judged based on the totality of circumstances. Chasing
and tackling a fleeing suspect who is suspected of a burglary is
generally reasonable, especially if the officer has probable cause to
arrest. The injury does not automatically make the force excessive.
QUESTION 5
An officer responds to a call about a suspicious person loitering near a
school. The officer approaches the individual and asks for identification.
The individual refuses to provide ID and walks away. The officer may:
A) Arrest the individual for obstruction
B) Detain the individual for further investigation
C) Not detain the individual unless there is reasonable suspicion of
criminal activity
D) Use force to stop the individual
Answer: C
Explanation: Under Terry v. Ohio, an officer may stop and briefly detain
an individual only if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
Loitering, without more, may not rise to reasonable suspicion. If the
MISSOURI POST Newest Exam Preparation With
Complete Questions And Correct Answers With
Rationales Already Graded A+Brand New Version!!
QUESTION 1
A law enforcement officer stops a vehicle for a traffic violation. During
the stop, the officer observes a handgun in plain view on the passenger
seat. The driver does not have a concealed carry permit. Under
Missouri law, what is the most appropriate action?
A) Seize the handgun and arrest the driver for unlawful possession of a
firearm
B) Seize the handgun and issue a citation for unlawful carry
C) Seize the handgun and release the driver if no other violations exist
D) Ignore the handgun because it is in plain view and not concealed
Answer: A
Explanation: Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 571.030, unlawful
possession of a firearm can include carrying a concealed weapon
without a permit. While Missouri is a constitutional carry state for
residents over 19 who may legally possess firearms, there are
restrictions. However, in this scenario the handgun is observed in plain
view on the passenger seat, so it is not concealed. The issue is unlawful
,2|Page
possession if the driver is prohibited. Absent information that the driver
is prohibited, the plain view doctrine allows seizure of evidence of a
crime if the officer has probable cause. The most appropriate action is
to seize the handgun and address the carry violation as per statute.
QUESTION 2
An officer responds to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, the
officer hears screaming from inside the residence and observes broken
glass near the front door. The officer knocks and announces presence,
but no one answers. The officer forces entry without a warrant. This
action is:
A) Illegal without a warrant regardless of exigency
B) Justified under exigent circumstances
C) Justified only if the officer obtains consent later
D) Illegal because the officer did not wait for a warrant
Answer: B
Explanation: Under the exigent circumstances exception to the warrant
requirement, law enforcement may enter a residence without a warrant
if there is probable cause to believe that someone inside is in immediate
danger. The screaming and broken glass provide probable cause of an
ongoing emergency. This is consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court
decision in Brigham City v. Stuart, which held that warrantless entry is
permissible when officers have an objectively reasonable basis to
believe an emergency exists.
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QUESTION 3
During a traffic stop, the driver appears nervous and is sweating
profusely. The officer asks the driver to step out of the vehicle. The
driver refuses. The officer may:
A) Physically remove the driver from the vehicle
B) Issue a citation for the traffic violation and leave
C) Call for a supervisor to order the driver out
D) Threaten arrest if the driver does not comply
Answer: A
Explanation: In Pennsylvania v. Mimms, the U.S. Supreme Court held
that an officer may order a driver out of a vehicle during a lawful traffic
stop as a matter of officer safety. The driver's refusal does not create a
right to resist. The officer may physically remove the driver if necessary
to ensure safety or to complete the stop, provided the force used is
reasonable under the circumstances.
QUESTION 4
An officer is investigating a burglary in progress at a commercial
building. The officer hears footsteps inside and announces presence. A
suspect runs out the back door. The officer gives chase and tackles the
suspect. The suspect sustains a minor injury. The officer's use of force
is:
A) Excessive and violates the suspect's rights
B) Justified because the officer was effecting an arrest
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C) Justified only if the suspect was armed
D) Excessive because the officer should have used less force
Answer: B
Explanation: Under Graham v. Connor, claims of excessive force are
evaluated under an objective reasonableness standard. The officer's use
of force must be judged based on the totality of circumstances. Chasing
and tackling a fleeing suspect who is suspected of a burglary is
generally reasonable, especially if the officer has probable cause to
arrest. The injury does not automatically make the force excessive.
QUESTION 5
An officer responds to a call about a suspicious person loitering near a
school. The officer approaches the individual and asks for identification.
The individual refuses to provide ID and walks away. The officer may:
A) Arrest the individual for obstruction
B) Detain the individual for further investigation
C) Not detain the individual unless there is reasonable suspicion of
criminal activity
D) Use force to stop the individual
Answer: C
Explanation: Under Terry v. Ohio, an officer may stop and briefly detain
an individual only if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
Loitering, without more, may not rise to reasonable suspicion. If the
