Page 1 of 33
CMRJ101 LESSON 4 QUIZ – POLICING IN THE UNITED
STATES EXAM PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
CMRJ
Prepare for the CMRJ101 Lesson 4 Quiz – Policing in the United States with this
focused practice resource designed to reinforce essential policing and law
enforcement concepts. Use it to review police roles, organizational structures, law
enforcement practices, community relations, and other key topics related to policing
in the United States. This resource can help strengthen your understanding, identify
areas that may require additional study, and improve your quiz readiness. It provides a
structured supplement to your coursework and supports a more confident approach
to the CMRJ101 assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: History and Development of American Policing (Questions 1–
20)
1. The modern police force in London was established in 1829 by:
A. August Vollmer
B. Sir Robert Peel
C. J. Edgar Hoover
D. O.W. Wilson
Answer: B
Rationale: Sir Robert Peel established the London Metropolitan Police in
1829. His principles emphasized crime prevention, public trust, and
community cooperation.
2. Which of the following was a key Peelian principle?
A. Police should rely only on force
B. Police should maintain public trust and prevent crime
C. Police should avoid community contact
D. Police should operate in secrecy
, Page 2 of 33
Answer: B
Rationale: Peelian principles stressed prevention of crime, public
approval, cooperation, and minimal use of force. Police legitimacy
depends on community trust.
3. Colonial American policing was primarily based on:
A. Federal agencies
B. Constables, sheriffs, and watchmen
C. Modern municipal departments
D. State police
Answer: B
Rationale: Colonial policing relied on constables, sheriffs, and night
watchmen. These roles focused on local order, taxes, and basic
enforcement.
4. The first modern-style municipal police department in the United
States was established in:
A. Boston
B. New York City
C. Philadelphia
D. Chicago
Answer: A
Rationale: Boston established a modern-style police department in 1838.
New York followed in 1845. These early departments were modeled partly
on London’s force.
5. The political era of policing is often associated with:
A. Professionalism and technology
B. Close ties to local politicians and patronage
C. Community policing
D. Federal dominance
Answer: B
Rationale: During the political era, police were often tied to local political
machines. Patronage, corruption, and political influence were common
problems.
, Page 3 of 33
6. The professional era of policing emphasized:
A. Political patronage
B. Reform, efficiency, and crime fighting
C. Community partnership
D. Abolition of police
Answer: B
Rationale: The professional era emphasized reform, centralized control,
motorized patrol, and crime fighting. August Vollmer and O.W. Wilson
were key reformers.
7. August Vollmer is known for:
A. Founding the FBI
B. Promoting police professionalism and education
C. Creating the first jail
D. Writing the Bill of Rights
Answer: B
Rationale: August Vollmer is often called the father of modern policing.
He promoted education, training, technology, and professionalism.
8. The Wickersham Commission in 1931:
A. Supported police corruption
B. Examined policing and criticized brutality and corruption
C. Created the DEA
D. Abolished local police
Answer: B
Rationale: The Wickersham Commission studied the criminal justice
system and criticized police brutality, corruption, and inefficiency. It
encouraged reform.
9. The community policing era began largely in response to:
A. Public dissatisfaction with police isolation and crime
B. The creation of the FBI
C. The end of Prohibition
D. The Civil War
, Page 4 of 33
Answer: A
Rationale: Community policing emerged as concerns grew about police
isolation, poor community relations, and the limits of reactive patrol.
10. The Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment found that:
A. Random patrol had little effect on crime and fear
B. Random patrol eliminated crime
C. Foot patrol increased crime
D. Detectives were unnecessary
Answer: A
Rationale: The Kansas City study found that varying levels of random
motorized patrol did not significantly affect crime rates, fear, or
community satisfaction.
11. The RAND Corporation study on criminal investigation found that:
A. Most cases are solved by detective work
B. Most cases are cleared by information from victims and witnesses
C. Patrol officers solve most cases
D. Investigations are always successful
Answer: B
Rationale: The RAND study found that most cleared cases were solved by
information obtained by patrol officers or provided by victims and
witnesses, not by specialized detective work alone.
12. Which era emphasized rapid response, motorized patrol, and
centralized control?
A. Political era
B. Professional era
C. Community policing era
D. Colonial era
Answer: B
Rationale: The professional era emphasized efficiency, motorized patrol,
rapid response, centralized control, and crime fighting.
13. Which era emphasized partnerships, problem solving, and
organizational transformation?
CMRJ101 LESSON 4 QUIZ – POLICING IN THE UNITED
STATES EXAM PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
CMRJ
Prepare for the CMRJ101 Lesson 4 Quiz – Policing in the United States with this
focused practice resource designed to reinforce essential policing and law
enforcement concepts. Use it to review police roles, organizational structures, law
enforcement practices, community relations, and other key topics related to policing
in the United States. This resource can help strengthen your understanding, identify
areas that may require additional study, and improve your quiz readiness. It provides a
structured supplement to your coursework and supports a more confident approach
to the CMRJ101 assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: History and Development of American Policing (Questions 1–
20)
1. The modern police force in London was established in 1829 by:
A. August Vollmer
B. Sir Robert Peel
C. J. Edgar Hoover
D. O.W. Wilson
Answer: B
Rationale: Sir Robert Peel established the London Metropolitan Police in
1829. His principles emphasized crime prevention, public trust, and
community cooperation.
2. Which of the following was a key Peelian principle?
A. Police should rely only on force
B. Police should maintain public trust and prevent crime
C. Police should avoid community contact
D. Police should operate in secrecy
, Page 2 of 33
Answer: B
Rationale: Peelian principles stressed prevention of crime, public
approval, cooperation, and minimal use of force. Police legitimacy
depends on community trust.
3. Colonial American policing was primarily based on:
A. Federal agencies
B. Constables, sheriffs, and watchmen
C. Modern municipal departments
D. State police
Answer: B
Rationale: Colonial policing relied on constables, sheriffs, and night
watchmen. These roles focused on local order, taxes, and basic
enforcement.
4. The first modern-style municipal police department in the United
States was established in:
A. Boston
B. New York City
C. Philadelphia
D. Chicago
Answer: A
Rationale: Boston established a modern-style police department in 1838.
New York followed in 1845. These early departments were modeled partly
on London’s force.
5. The political era of policing is often associated with:
A. Professionalism and technology
B. Close ties to local politicians and patronage
C. Community policing
D. Federal dominance
Answer: B
Rationale: During the political era, police were often tied to local political
machines. Patronage, corruption, and political influence were common
problems.
, Page 3 of 33
6. The professional era of policing emphasized:
A. Political patronage
B. Reform, efficiency, and crime fighting
C. Community partnership
D. Abolition of police
Answer: B
Rationale: The professional era emphasized reform, centralized control,
motorized patrol, and crime fighting. August Vollmer and O.W. Wilson
were key reformers.
7. August Vollmer is known for:
A. Founding the FBI
B. Promoting police professionalism and education
C. Creating the first jail
D. Writing the Bill of Rights
Answer: B
Rationale: August Vollmer is often called the father of modern policing.
He promoted education, training, technology, and professionalism.
8. The Wickersham Commission in 1931:
A. Supported police corruption
B. Examined policing and criticized brutality and corruption
C. Created the DEA
D. Abolished local police
Answer: B
Rationale: The Wickersham Commission studied the criminal justice
system and criticized police brutality, corruption, and inefficiency. It
encouraged reform.
9. The community policing era began largely in response to:
A. Public dissatisfaction with police isolation and crime
B. The creation of the FBI
C. The end of Prohibition
D. The Civil War
, Page 4 of 33
Answer: A
Rationale: Community policing emerged as concerns grew about police
isolation, poor community relations, and the limits of reactive patrol.
10. The Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment found that:
A. Random patrol had little effect on crime and fear
B. Random patrol eliminated crime
C. Foot patrol increased crime
D. Detectives were unnecessary
Answer: A
Rationale: The Kansas City study found that varying levels of random
motorized patrol did not significantly affect crime rates, fear, or
community satisfaction.
11. The RAND Corporation study on criminal investigation found that:
A. Most cases are solved by detective work
B. Most cases are cleared by information from victims and witnesses
C. Patrol officers solve most cases
D. Investigations are always successful
Answer: B
Rationale: The RAND study found that most cleared cases were solved by
information obtained by patrol officers or provided by victims and
witnesses, not by specialized detective work alone.
12. Which era emphasized rapid response, motorized patrol, and
centralized control?
A. Political era
B. Professional era
C. Community policing era
D. Colonial era
Answer: B
Rationale: The professional era emphasized efficiency, motorized patrol,
rapid response, centralized control, and crime fighting.
13. Which era emphasized partnerships, problem solving, and
organizational transformation?
