©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
OPOTA SPO's Corrections Officer Study
Guide 100% Verified.
Explain the relationship between a Student Performance Objective (SPO) and a test question: -
Answer✔A test question must respond directly to an SPO and every SPO may be the basis of a
test question.
List reasons for corrections training: - Answer✔Mandated by state law
To acquire 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.
List the internal and external influences that affect and complicate an officer's decisions: -
Answer✔Pressures come from various sources
i. Relationships with friends and family.
ii. Department relations.
iii. The media.
iv. Citizens.
v. Interdepartmental politics.
vi. Officer's own ethical and moral beliefs.
Identify factors which contribute to unethical behaviors: - Answer✔Anger
1
, ©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
Lust
Greed
Peer pressure
Distinguish between what an ethical correctional officer will and will not do: - Answer✔Do's -
i. Treat everyone professionally and without bias.
ii. Conduct duties objectively.
iii. Respect the profession of Corrections.
iv. Be responsible to family and your community.
Don't's -
i. Use of excessive force.
ii. Accept gratuities.
iii. Commit perjury - lie.
iv. Falsify reports.
List reasons why a well written report is important: - Answer✔Documents inmate behavior.
Documentation of Incidents.
Helps refresh an officer's memory for future testimony.
Communication tool between staff.
Reduction of liability.
Explain the essential questions that must be answered in a report: - Answer✔Who, what, when,
where, why, and how questions.
Who? - Answer✔i. Answering the question of who involves identifying the complaining party,
the victim, the suspect, witnesses, and any other officers involved.
ii. Indicates who reported the incident.
iii. Identify inmates by name, ID number, and housing assignment.
iv. Identify staff by name, rank, and title for credibility.
v. Clearly stating names and identifying characteristics leaves no doubt in the reader's mind
who was involved.
What? - Answer✔i. What is a broad question that covers a number of areas? You must ensure
that all of these areas are answered in a report.
2
, ©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
ii. First one must determine type of report is need per the incident (Rule violation, something
noted in a log book, use of force report).
What tools/weapons were used?
What further action needs taken?
What actions or behavior did you observe?
What did you do and say?
What did the witnesses observe?
When? - Answer✔i. When means date, day, and time of the incident.
ii. Also includes information from the following:
v The incident
a. When the incident occurred, was discovered, and when it was reported.
b. Was there a significant delay between discovery and reporting?
v The citizens/employees/witnesses involved in the incident
a. What time did the people involved arrive? How long did they stay? When did they leave?
b. Was the victim already at the scene or did they arrive at a certain time?
c. Did witnesses view the scene before you arrived? If so, what time and how long did they view
the scene? Did they observe the incidents? From where and for how long?
v The Officer's interactions
a. When did you arrive? Leave?
b. When did you speak to the involved parties and witnesses?
c. If exact times are unknown, use approximate times.
Where? - Answer✔i. Where did the incident happen? (I.e. dayroom, recreation, cafeteria).
ii. Where were the involved parties when the incident began and ended?
iii. Where were objects or weapons obtained/used/left?
iv. If you or another officer observed some or all of the incident, then include location of
self/other officer.
How? - Answer✔i. Keep in mind, as a report writer, one must include the facts of how the
situation started, progressed, and ended.
ii. How did the incident/misconduct occur?
iii. How did the inmates/officers get involved?
3
, ©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
iv. How much damage if any was done?
v. How was the incident planned?
vi. Explain how particular weapons/tools were used.
Why? - Answer✔i. Why did the incident occur in the manner in which it did?
ii. Some common motives in correctional facility include:
v Revenge.
v Gang activity.
v Gambling debt.
v Sexual advances.
v Theft.
Describe the qualities of well written report: - Answer✔Complete:
i. The report should answer the essential questions as they relate to the incident.
ii. While each question may not be applicable to each incident, it is a very thorough starting
point to for report writing.
iii. The report must be written so as to understand by a third party.
Factual:
i. Record the facts.
ii. Statement can be proven.
iii. It does not contain opinions.
Clear:
i. A well written report is accurate; it is specific and clear.
ii. Use proper spelling-utilize electronic spell check.
iii. Use proper grammar.
Objective:
i. Including factual information only.
ii. Recording only what you saw or hear. Nothing else.
iii. Excludes your thoughts, opinions, hunches, guesses, and suspicions.
State the purpose of the Bill Of Rights: - Answer✔Protect the individual's freedoms.
Prevent the government from interfering in protected rights.
4
OPOTA SPO's Corrections Officer Study
Guide 100% Verified.
Explain the relationship between a Student Performance Objective (SPO) and a test question: -
Answer✔A test question must respond directly to an SPO and every SPO may be the basis of a
test question.
List reasons for corrections training: - Answer✔Mandated by state law
To acquire 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.
List the internal and external influences that affect and complicate an officer's decisions: -
Answer✔Pressures come from various sources
i. Relationships with friends and family.
ii. Department relations.
iii. The media.
iv. Citizens.
v. Interdepartmental politics.
vi. Officer's own ethical and moral beliefs.
Identify factors which contribute to unethical behaviors: - Answer✔Anger
1
, ©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
Lust
Greed
Peer pressure
Distinguish between what an ethical correctional officer will and will not do: - Answer✔Do's -
i. Treat everyone professionally and without bias.
ii. Conduct duties objectively.
iii. Respect the profession of Corrections.
iv. Be responsible to family and your community.
Don't's -
i. Use of excessive force.
ii. Accept gratuities.
iii. Commit perjury - lie.
iv. Falsify reports.
List reasons why a well written report is important: - Answer✔Documents inmate behavior.
Documentation of Incidents.
Helps refresh an officer's memory for future testimony.
Communication tool between staff.
Reduction of liability.
Explain the essential questions that must be answered in a report: - Answer✔Who, what, when,
where, why, and how questions.
Who? - Answer✔i. Answering the question of who involves identifying the complaining party,
the victim, the suspect, witnesses, and any other officers involved.
ii. Indicates who reported the incident.
iii. Identify inmates by name, ID number, and housing assignment.
iv. Identify staff by name, rank, and title for credibility.
v. Clearly stating names and identifying characteristics leaves no doubt in the reader's mind
who was involved.
What? - Answer✔i. What is a broad question that covers a number of areas? You must ensure
that all of these areas are answered in a report.
2
, ©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
ii. First one must determine type of report is need per the incident (Rule violation, something
noted in a log book, use of force report).
What tools/weapons were used?
What further action needs taken?
What actions or behavior did you observe?
What did you do and say?
What did the witnesses observe?
When? - Answer✔i. When means date, day, and time of the incident.
ii. Also includes information from the following:
v The incident
a. When the incident occurred, was discovered, and when it was reported.
b. Was there a significant delay between discovery and reporting?
v The citizens/employees/witnesses involved in the incident
a. What time did the people involved arrive? How long did they stay? When did they leave?
b. Was the victim already at the scene or did they arrive at a certain time?
c. Did witnesses view the scene before you arrived? If so, what time and how long did they view
the scene? Did they observe the incidents? From where and for how long?
v The Officer's interactions
a. When did you arrive? Leave?
b. When did you speak to the involved parties and witnesses?
c. If exact times are unknown, use approximate times.
Where? - Answer✔i. Where did the incident happen? (I.e. dayroom, recreation, cafeteria).
ii. Where were the involved parties when the incident began and ended?
iii. Where were objects or weapons obtained/used/left?
iv. If you or another officer observed some or all of the incident, then include location of
self/other officer.
How? - Answer✔i. Keep in mind, as a report writer, one must include the facts of how the
situation started, progressed, and ended.
ii. How did the incident/misconduct occur?
iii. How did the inmates/officers get involved?
3
, ©FYNDLAY 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2:49PM A+
iv. How much damage if any was done?
v. How was the incident planned?
vi. Explain how particular weapons/tools were used.
Why? - Answer✔i. Why did the incident occur in the manner in which it did?
ii. Some common motives in correctional facility include:
v Revenge.
v Gang activity.
v Gambling debt.
v Sexual advances.
v Theft.
Describe the qualities of well written report: - Answer✔Complete:
i. The report should answer the essential questions as they relate to the incident.
ii. While each question may not be applicable to each incident, it is a very thorough starting
point to for report writing.
iii. The report must be written so as to understand by a third party.
Factual:
i. Record the facts.
ii. Statement can be proven.
iii. It does not contain opinions.
Clear:
i. A well written report is accurate; it is specific and clear.
ii. Use proper spelling-utilize electronic spell check.
iii. Use proper grammar.
Objective:
i. Including factual information only.
ii. Recording only what you saw or hear. Nothing else.
iii. Excludes your thoughts, opinions, hunches, guesses, and suspicions.
State the purpose of the Bill Of Rights: - Answer✔Protect the individual's freedoms.
Prevent the government from interfering in protected rights.
4
