2023 OPOTA (SPOs) Student
Performance Objectives
Explain the relationship between a student Performance objective (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.
Explain the ultimate reason for law enforcement training - Correct Answer To be able to
protect the life and property of yourself and the public
Explain the generally accepted ethical responsibilities of peace officers - Correct
Answer Are found in professional codes of ethics and professional codes of conduct.
Are owed to
-Your community and its citizens
-The Law Enforcement Profession
-Your Agency
-Your Family
-Yourself
List external and internal influences on behavior - Correct Answer External-
-Relationship with friends and family
-Local Citizens
-Local Media
-Department regulations
-Interdepartmental politics
-Police Sub culture
Internal-
-Officer's own ethical and moral beliefs and values
-Anger
-Greed
-Lust
Explain continuum of Compromise - Correct Answer -PROCESS
-Begins with perceived sense of victimization
-Victimization can lead to a sense of entitlement
-Entitlement can lead to acts of omissions on the job, and progress to acts of
commission, including criminal acts.
Explain the steps in the decision making model and the application of PLUS filers. -
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
P=Policies: is it consistent with my agency's policies and procedures?
L=Legal: is the action 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?
Step 1 (I.e., define the problem)-Does the existing situation violate any PLUS
considerations?
Step3 (I.e., evaluate alternative solutions)- Do the alternative resolve or create Plus
considerations and, if so, are the ethical trade offs acceptable?
Step 6(i.e., evaluate the decision)- does the solution resolve all PLUS considerations, or
were unintended or unforeseen PLUS considerations created?
List a peace officer's main goals - Correct Answer -Enforce Law
-Preserve the Peace
-Prevent Crimes
-Protect Civil Right and Liberties
-Provide Services
Explain Items to consider when exercising discretion - Correct Answer -Use sound
judgment to determine which laws are to be formally enforced
Example:
-An officer stops a vehicle for speeding. Issuing a citation is formally enforcing the law.
Issuing a warning is informally enforcing the law.
-Determine if there is a more constructive remedy to a situation without an arrest or
citation(e.g., referring a homeless person to a shelter rather than a trespassing arrest)
-The origin of the complaint also plays a role in discretion.
-If the complaint is initiated by a citizen, the officer will likely feel more pressure to
arrest or issue a citation/summons.
-However, if the complaint is self-generated, the officer is more likely to exercise
discretion.
Explain the factors necessary for the commission of a crime.(i.e., the Crime Triangle) -
Correct Answer DESIRE
- Motivation behind criminal behavior. (e.g., financial gain, power, revenge, fear,
narcotics usage)
-This factor is the most difficult to change.
VICTIM
-The potential target.
, -Criminals prefer an easy target that is unaware of his/her surroundings or lacking
proper security precautions.
-Difficult to change this factor due to individual personalities.
OPPORTUNITY
-Removing opportunity for crime with proper security measures applied to the victim's
environment(e.g., locking doors/windows, removing valuables from open view, good
lighting)
-Most effective area to concentrate crime prevention strategies.
State the core concepts of community policing - Correct Answer -A partnership between
the police and the community
-Crime Prevention
-Organizational change of the agency
-A problem-solving approach to the police role that is proactive.
Recognize considerations for off duty situations - Correct Answer ***BEHAVIOR***
-An officer's behavior is often scrutinized by the community even when not on duty.
-Not only does this refer to physical and verbal actions, but also online activity on social
media.
-An officer is expected to uphold the law enforcement code of ethics.
***SITUATIONAL AWARENESS***
-An officer should make every effort to remain alert even when not working
-You never know when you may need to transition quickly from a private citizen to a
peace officer.
-Make certain to preplan with your family should a situation arise while together. Create
a number of scenarios for your family to practice
-Familiarize yourself with your agency's off duty weapon policy.
***Be A Good Witness If A Situation Arises When Police Intervention Is Necessary***
-If the situation involves a reasonable belief of serious physical harm, provide a
response as soon as practical.
-However, if the situation is less serious, the best course of action is to observe the
incident until uniformed officers respond.
-If you become involved, make contact with dispatch as soon as possible to provide
information about the incident and information about yourself(e.g., clothing you are
wearing, car you are driving, description of offenders and victims, pertinent officer safety
information)
State the purpose of the Bill of Rights - Correct Answer -Protect an Individual's
freedoms
Performance Objectives
Explain the relationship between a student Performance objective (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.
Explain the ultimate reason for law enforcement training - Correct Answer To be able to
protect the life and property of yourself and the public
Explain the generally accepted ethical responsibilities of peace officers - Correct
Answer Are found in professional codes of ethics and professional codes of conduct.
Are owed to
-Your community and its citizens
-The Law Enforcement Profession
-Your Agency
-Your Family
-Yourself
List external and internal influences on behavior - Correct Answer External-
-Relationship with friends and family
-Local Citizens
-Local Media
-Department regulations
-Interdepartmental politics
-Police Sub culture
Internal-
-Officer's own ethical and moral beliefs and values
-Anger
-Greed
-Lust
Explain continuum of Compromise - Correct Answer -PROCESS
-Begins with perceived sense of victimization
-Victimization can lead to a sense of entitlement
-Entitlement can lead to acts of omissions on the job, and progress to acts of
commission, including criminal acts.
Explain the steps in the decision making model and the application of PLUS filers. -
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
P=Policies: is it consistent with my agency's policies and procedures?
L=Legal: is the action 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?
Step 1 (I.e., define the problem)-Does the existing situation violate any PLUS
considerations?
Step3 (I.e., evaluate alternative solutions)- Do the alternative resolve or create Plus
considerations and, if so, are the ethical trade offs acceptable?
Step 6(i.e., evaluate the decision)- does the solution resolve all PLUS considerations, or
were unintended or unforeseen PLUS considerations created?
List a peace officer's main goals - Correct Answer -Enforce Law
-Preserve the Peace
-Prevent Crimes
-Protect Civil Right and Liberties
-Provide Services
Explain Items to consider when exercising discretion - Correct Answer -Use sound
judgment to determine which laws are to be formally enforced
Example:
-An officer stops a vehicle for speeding. Issuing a citation is formally enforcing the law.
Issuing a warning is informally enforcing the law.
-Determine if there is a more constructive remedy to a situation without an arrest or
citation(e.g., referring a homeless person to a shelter rather than a trespassing arrest)
-The origin of the complaint also plays a role in discretion.
-If the complaint is initiated by a citizen, the officer will likely feel more pressure to
arrest or issue a citation/summons.
-However, if the complaint is self-generated, the officer is more likely to exercise
discretion.
Explain the factors necessary for the commission of a crime.(i.e., the Crime Triangle) -
Correct Answer DESIRE
- Motivation behind criminal behavior. (e.g., financial gain, power, revenge, fear,
narcotics usage)
-This factor is the most difficult to change.
VICTIM
-The potential target.
, -Criminals prefer an easy target that is unaware of his/her surroundings or lacking
proper security precautions.
-Difficult to change this factor due to individual personalities.
OPPORTUNITY
-Removing opportunity for crime with proper security measures applied to the victim's
environment(e.g., locking doors/windows, removing valuables from open view, good
lighting)
-Most effective area to concentrate crime prevention strategies.
State the core concepts of community policing - Correct Answer -A partnership between
the police and the community
-Crime Prevention
-Organizational change of the agency
-A problem-solving approach to the police role that is proactive.
Recognize considerations for off duty situations - Correct Answer ***BEHAVIOR***
-An officer's behavior is often scrutinized by the community even when not on duty.
-Not only does this refer to physical and verbal actions, but also online activity on social
media.
-An officer is expected to uphold the law enforcement code of ethics.
***SITUATIONAL AWARENESS***
-An officer should make every effort to remain alert even when not working
-You never know when you may need to transition quickly from a private citizen to a
peace officer.
-Make certain to preplan with your family should a situation arise while together. Create
a number of scenarios for your family to practice
-Familiarize yourself with your agency's off duty weapon policy.
***Be A Good Witness If A Situation Arises When Police Intervention Is Necessary***
-If the situation involves a reasonable belief of serious physical harm, provide a
response as soon as practical.
-However, if the situation is less serious, the best course of action is to observe the
incident until uniformed officers respond.
-If you become involved, make contact with dispatch as soon as possible to provide
information about the incident and information about yourself(e.g., clothing you are
wearing, car you are driving, description of offenders and victims, pertinent officer safety
information)
State the purpose of the Bill of Rights - Correct Answer -Protect an Individual's
freedoms
