OPOTA Corrections SPO's 2022 Update | with Complete Solution
1.1 SPO #1 Relationship between a SPO and a test question Correct Answer: A test question
must respond directly to an SPO and every SPO may be the basis of a test question
1.1 SPO #2 Reasons for Corrections Training Correct Answer: Mandated by State Law
To acquire new knowledge and skills
To reduce errors and mistakes in performing critical tasks while protecting the public
To standardize procedures
To increase efficiency
To build confidence and morale
To promote safety and survival skills
To reduce civil liability
To eliminate unfit trainees who do not meet training standards
1.2 SPO #1 Corrections Officer Codes of Ethics and Conduct Correct Answer: Emphasize the
value of public service
Outline expectations for treating inmates and fostering professionalism
Require that Corrections Officers: Respect the civil and legal rights of all people. Refrain from
any form of discrimination
Prohibits Corrections Officers from: Using their position for personal gain. Accepting gifts or
favors that might imply there is a corresponding obligation that is inconsistent with professional
duties.
1.2 SPO #2 External Influences on Behavior Correct Answer: Relationship with friends and
family
Local Citizens
Local Media
Department Regulations
Interdepartmental Politics
Agency Subculture
Officer's own ethical and moral beliefs and values
Anger, Greed, and Lust: Internal rationalizations made prior to or after misconduct
1.2 SPO #3 Steps in Decision Making Model and Application of PLUS Filters Correct Answer:
Step 1: Define the problem. Being aware that how you define the problem determines where and
how you will look for solutions
Step 2: Identify alternative solutions available to address the problem- at a minimum three and,
ideally, more than five
Step 3: Evaluate the identified alternatives- list the pros and cons of each; differentiate between
known facts and personal beliefs about the situation
Step 4: Make the Decision
,Step 5: Implement the Decision
Step 6: Evaluate the Decision
PLUS Filters Defined
P= Policies: Is it consistent with my agency's policies and procedures?
L= Legal: Is it lawful?
U= Universal: Does it conform to the universal principles and values of my agency?
S= Self: Does it align with my beliefs of what is right, good, and fair?
PLUS Filters should be applied at each of the following steps of the decision making model
Step 1 (Define the problem)- does the existing situation violate and PLUS considerations?
Step 3 (Evaluate alternative solutions)- do the alternatives resolve or create and PLUS
considerations and, if so, are the ethical trade-offs acceptable?
Step 6 (Evaluate the decision)- does the solution resolve all PLUS considerations, or were
unintended or unforseen PLUS considerations created?
1.3 SPO #1 Essential Questions Answered in a Report Correct Answer: 1. Who...
a. Who discovered the incident?
b. Who reported the incident?
c. Who were the witnesses?
d Identify all persons involved by full name, rank, demographics, etc.
2. What...
a. What happened?
b. What was damaged?
c. What injuries?
d. Identify tools or weapons used
e. State events in chronological order
3. When...
a. When did the incident occur?
b. When was the incident discovered?
c. When were you/we notified?
d. When did you/deputies arrive?
4.How...
a. How did the situation start?
b. How did the situation progress?
c. How did the situation end?
d. Explain how a weapon or tool was used
e. Explain how you did or said something
,5. Where...
a. Where did the incident take place?
b. Be as specific as possible, Witness location, objects, distances, indoors, outdoors, etc.
6. Why...
a. Revenge/Opportunity?
b. Drugs/Alcohol?
c. Accidental/Intentional?
d. Argument/Passion?
1.3 SPO #2 Requirements for a Well Written Report Correct Answer: 1. Complete
a. The report must include the answers to the essential questions...who, what, when, how, where,
and why
b. It must be understandable by a third party
c. When completed...
(1) Sign your full name
(2) Rank/Title
(3) Date the report
2. Factual
a. Records the facts
b. Statements that can be proven
c. It does not contain opinions
3. Accurate
a. Specific
b. Fact check
c. Use descriptive words, names, numbers
d. Do not over extend your vocabulary
e. Use correct language. Do not use slang or "street talk" unless you are quoting someone
f. Double check spelling and word usage
g. Use proper grammar
h. Read it. Have someone else review it
4. Objective
a. Objective means non-opinionated, fair, and impartial
b. Stick to the facts
5. Concise
a. Make the important points in as few words as possible
b. Leave out unnecessary information
c. Do not confuse brevity with being concise
6. Clear
a. Only one conclusion should be drawn
b. Anyone should be able to read it and come to the same interpretation
, 7. Use correct...
a. Spelling
b. Paragraph Structure
c. Verb tense (past, present, future)
2.1 SPO #1 Purposes of the Bill of Rights Correct Answer: Protect and individual's freedoms
Prevent the government from interfering in protected rights
2.1 SPO #2 Major Components of the Criminal Justice System Correct Answer: Law
Enforcement (police officer, deputy sheriff):
Keep the peace
Apprehend violators and combat crime
Prevent crime
Provide social services
Courts: Hold fair and impartial trials (ensure due process)
Determine guilt or innocence
Impose sentences on the guilty
Key personnel includes judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys
Corrections: Responsible for supervising the offender
Prison/County Jails
Parole
Probation
Halfway Houses
Work release programs
2.1 SPO #3 The Goals of Sentencing Correct Answer: Punish the offender and in many cases,
rehabilitate the offender
Protect society
Restore the victim as much as possible
2.1 SPO #4 General Rules for Effective Testimony Correct Answer: Be prepared
Project a positive image
Dress in professional attire
Sit, stand, and walk with good posture
Project your voice
Give direct answers to questions from attorneys or the judge
If permitted to take reports and notes to the witness stand, ask for a moment to review them ( do
not read directly from report unless told to do so)
Be HONEST
1.1 SPO #1 Relationship between a SPO and a test question Correct Answer: A test question
must respond directly to an SPO and every SPO may be the basis of a test question
1.1 SPO #2 Reasons for Corrections Training Correct Answer: Mandated by State Law
To acquire new knowledge and skills
To reduce errors and mistakes in performing critical tasks while protecting the public
To standardize procedures
To increase efficiency
To build confidence and morale
To promote safety and survival skills
To reduce civil liability
To eliminate unfit trainees who do not meet training standards
1.2 SPO #1 Corrections Officer Codes of Ethics and Conduct Correct Answer: Emphasize the
value of public service
Outline expectations for treating inmates and fostering professionalism
Require that Corrections Officers: Respect the civil and legal rights of all people. Refrain from
any form of discrimination
Prohibits Corrections Officers from: Using their position for personal gain. Accepting gifts or
favors that might imply there is a corresponding obligation that is inconsistent with professional
duties.
1.2 SPO #2 External Influences on Behavior Correct Answer: Relationship with friends and
family
Local Citizens
Local Media
Department Regulations
Interdepartmental Politics
Agency Subculture
Officer's own ethical and moral beliefs and values
Anger, Greed, and Lust: Internal rationalizations made prior to or after misconduct
1.2 SPO #3 Steps in Decision Making Model and Application of PLUS Filters Correct Answer:
Step 1: Define the problem. Being aware that how you define the problem determines where and
how you will look for solutions
Step 2: Identify alternative solutions available to address the problem- at a minimum three and,
ideally, more than five
Step 3: Evaluate the identified alternatives- list the pros and cons of each; differentiate between
known facts and personal beliefs about the situation
Step 4: Make the Decision
,Step 5: Implement the Decision
Step 6: Evaluate the Decision
PLUS Filters Defined
P= Policies: Is it consistent with my agency's policies and procedures?
L= Legal: Is it lawful?
U= Universal: Does it conform to the universal principles and values of my agency?
S= Self: Does it align with my beliefs of what is right, good, and fair?
PLUS Filters should be applied at each of the following steps of the decision making model
Step 1 (Define the problem)- does the existing situation violate and PLUS considerations?
Step 3 (Evaluate alternative solutions)- do the alternatives resolve or create and PLUS
considerations and, if so, are the ethical trade-offs acceptable?
Step 6 (Evaluate the decision)- does the solution resolve all PLUS considerations, or were
unintended or unforseen PLUS considerations created?
1.3 SPO #1 Essential Questions Answered in a Report Correct Answer: 1. Who...
a. Who discovered the incident?
b. Who reported the incident?
c. Who were the witnesses?
d Identify all persons involved by full name, rank, demographics, etc.
2. What...
a. What happened?
b. What was damaged?
c. What injuries?
d. Identify tools or weapons used
e. State events in chronological order
3. When...
a. When did the incident occur?
b. When was the incident discovered?
c. When were you/we notified?
d. When did you/deputies arrive?
4.How...
a. How did the situation start?
b. How did the situation progress?
c. How did the situation end?
d. Explain how a weapon or tool was used
e. Explain how you did or said something
,5. Where...
a. Where did the incident take place?
b. Be as specific as possible, Witness location, objects, distances, indoors, outdoors, etc.
6. Why...
a. Revenge/Opportunity?
b. Drugs/Alcohol?
c. Accidental/Intentional?
d. Argument/Passion?
1.3 SPO #2 Requirements for a Well Written Report Correct Answer: 1. Complete
a. The report must include the answers to the essential questions...who, what, when, how, where,
and why
b. It must be understandable by a third party
c. When completed...
(1) Sign your full name
(2) Rank/Title
(3) Date the report
2. Factual
a. Records the facts
b. Statements that can be proven
c. It does not contain opinions
3. Accurate
a. Specific
b. Fact check
c. Use descriptive words, names, numbers
d. Do not over extend your vocabulary
e. Use correct language. Do not use slang or "street talk" unless you are quoting someone
f. Double check spelling and word usage
g. Use proper grammar
h. Read it. Have someone else review it
4. Objective
a. Objective means non-opinionated, fair, and impartial
b. Stick to the facts
5. Concise
a. Make the important points in as few words as possible
b. Leave out unnecessary information
c. Do not confuse brevity with being concise
6. Clear
a. Only one conclusion should be drawn
b. Anyone should be able to read it and come to the same interpretation
, 7. Use correct...
a. Spelling
b. Paragraph Structure
c. Verb tense (past, present, future)
2.1 SPO #1 Purposes of the Bill of Rights Correct Answer: Protect and individual's freedoms
Prevent the government from interfering in protected rights
2.1 SPO #2 Major Components of the Criminal Justice System Correct Answer: Law
Enforcement (police officer, deputy sheriff):
Keep the peace
Apprehend violators and combat crime
Prevent crime
Provide social services
Courts: Hold fair and impartial trials (ensure due process)
Determine guilt or innocence
Impose sentences on the guilty
Key personnel includes judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys
Corrections: Responsible for supervising the offender
Prison/County Jails
Parole
Probation
Halfway Houses
Work release programs
2.1 SPO #3 The Goals of Sentencing Correct Answer: Punish the offender and in many cases,
rehabilitate the offender
Protect society
Restore the victim as much as possible
2.1 SPO #4 General Rules for Effective Testimony Correct Answer: Be prepared
Project a positive image
Dress in professional attire
Sit, stand, and walk with good posture
Project your voice
Give direct answers to questions from attorneys or the judge
If permitted to take reports and notes to the witness stand, ask for a moment to review them ( do
not read directly from report unless told to do so)
Be HONEST
