CPD Official Exam Questions and 100% Correct
Answers
1. Describe the "scope of the frisk" (physically what is the officer doing and what is the
officer searching for)? - ✔✔- Patting outer clothing, looking for weapons or hard
objects that can be used as a weapon (for your safety)
1. When is a "frisk" of a suspect lawful? - ✔✔- Reasonable suspicion / person is
armed and dangerous (not automatic)
- After a lawful temporary detention
- Limited search of outer garments for weapons only
Contraband: - ✔✔any property the possession or transportation of which is illegal.
Typical examples are narcotics and illegal weapons. Keep in mind that this is what police
are interested in searching for and seizing.
"Open Fields" - ✔✔are not protected by the Fourth Amendment. An open field is
beyond the curtilage of the home. A person has no legitimate expectation of privacy in
and open field and the police can look into that type of area without a warrant, without
probable cause, regardless of the fact that the property is privately owned.
Abandoned" - ✔✔property is not protected by the Fourth Amendment. Trash put out
on the curb, or property in which a person disclaims a possessory interest, are examples
of abandoned property. Once property is abandoned the police may look in it and /or
take it without a warrant, without probable cause.
When is a search warrant required? - ✔✔- Expectation of privacy
, 1. What is "contraband?" - ✔✔- Any property the possession or transportation of
which is illegal.
- Ex: narcotics & illegal weapons
What is the name of the case which described a two-part test for whether or not
someone has an expectation of privacy in an area? - - ✔✔U.S. v Katz
1. Describe the test outlined in the case above. - ✔✔1. Did the person have a
subjective or actual expectation of privacy in the area?
2. Was the expectation reasonable, one that society would recognize?
Recognize examples of places for which a search warrant would be required. Consider
the following: - ✔✔1. (1) a person, (2) a church, (3) a reporters home. Does the
general warrant requirement apply to these areas? - Yes, expectation of privacy in all
situations
1. What is meant by "open fields?" Is a search warrant required for these situations? -
✔✔- Beyond the curtilage of the home. No legitimate expectation of privacy in an
open field and police can look into that type of area.
What is meant by "plain view?" Is a search warrant required for these situations? -
✔✔Where everyone can see it
1. Does the use of a flashlight require a search warrant? - ✔✔- No
1. Does the use of electronic beepers to trail a vehicle require a search warrant? -
✔✔- No
Answers
1. Describe the "scope of the frisk" (physically what is the officer doing and what is the
officer searching for)? - ✔✔- Patting outer clothing, looking for weapons or hard
objects that can be used as a weapon (for your safety)
1. When is a "frisk" of a suspect lawful? - ✔✔- Reasonable suspicion / person is
armed and dangerous (not automatic)
- After a lawful temporary detention
- Limited search of outer garments for weapons only
Contraband: - ✔✔any property the possession or transportation of which is illegal.
Typical examples are narcotics and illegal weapons. Keep in mind that this is what police
are interested in searching for and seizing.
"Open Fields" - ✔✔are not protected by the Fourth Amendment. An open field is
beyond the curtilage of the home. A person has no legitimate expectation of privacy in
and open field and the police can look into that type of area without a warrant, without
probable cause, regardless of the fact that the property is privately owned.
Abandoned" - ✔✔property is not protected by the Fourth Amendment. Trash put out
on the curb, or property in which a person disclaims a possessory interest, are examples
of abandoned property. Once property is abandoned the police may look in it and /or
take it without a warrant, without probable cause.
When is a search warrant required? - ✔✔- Expectation of privacy
, 1. What is "contraband?" - ✔✔- Any property the possession or transportation of
which is illegal.
- Ex: narcotics & illegal weapons
What is the name of the case which described a two-part test for whether or not
someone has an expectation of privacy in an area? - - ✔✔U.S. v Katz
1. Describe the test outlined in the case above. - ✔✔1. Did the person have a
subjective or actual expectation of privacy in the area?
2. Was the expectation reasonable, one that society would recognize?
Recognize examples of places for which a search warrant would be required. Consider
the following: - ✔✔1. (1) a person, (2) a church, (3) a reporters home. Does the
general warrant requirement apply to these areas? - Yes, expectation of privacy in all
situations
1. What is meant by "open fields?" Is a search warrant required for these situations? -
✔✔- Beyond the curtilage of the home. No legitimate expectation of privacy in an
open field and police can look into that type of area.
What is meant by "plain view?" Is a search warrant required for these situations? -
✔✔Where everyone can see it
1. Does the use of a flashlight require a search warrant? - ✔✔- No
1. Does the use of electronic beepers to trail a vehicle require a search warrant? -
✔✔- No
