OPOTA Final Exam (SPOs)
CORRECT ANSWERS
The relationship between a student performance objective and a test
question - correct-answers-A test question must respond directly to an SPO
and every SPO may be the basis of a test question
The ultimate reason for law enforcement training - correct-answers-To be
able to protect life and property of yourself and the public
A peace officer's main goals - correct-answers-1. Enforce laws
2. Preserve the peace
3. Prevent crimes
4. Protect civil rights and liberties
5. Provide services
Considerations when exercising discretion - correct-answers-•Use sound
judgment to determine which laws are to be formally enforced
•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)
Factors necessary for the commission of a crime (crime triangle) - correct-
answers-1. Desire
•The motivation behind criminal behavior (e.g., financial gain, power,
revenge, fear, narcotics usage)
•This factor is the most difficult to change
2. 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
3. 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
Core concepts of community policing - correct-answers-- 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
Considerations for off duty situations - correct-answers-1. 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
2. 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 withdispatch 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-answers-- protect an
individual's freedoms
- prevent the government from interfering in protected rights
Describe the major components of the criminal justice system - correct-
answers-1. Law enforcement
2. Courts
3. Corrections
List the goals of sentencing - correct-answers-1. punish the offender and in
many cases, rehabilitate the offender
2. Protect society
3. Restore the victim as much as possible
The concepts of lawful actions and police legitimacy - correct-answers-1.
Lawful - defined by laws and standards
•Criminal law - identifies what actions are prohibited
•Rules of agency (e.g., administrative rules, general orders, standard
operating procedures)
•Constitutional law (e.g., Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Amendments)
•Officers can act lawfully and within the parameters of agency policy and
the citizenry still not perceive there to be police legitimacy - there can be
lawful, but awful interactions
2. Police legitimacy - exists when the public views the police as authorized to
exercise power in order to maintain social order, manage conflicts, and solve
problems in the community
Three resulting judgments of police legitimacy in action that translate into
positive results - correct-answers-Judgment
,- Public trust and confidence in the police as being honest, trying to do jobs
well, trying to protect the community
Result - Individuals are more likely to become actively involved in police-
community partnerships
Judgment - Public willingness to defer to the law and police authority
Result - There is a correlation between those who obey the laws and those
who view the police as legitimate; in addition, those who see the police as
legitimate have an increased willingness to cooperate by reporting crimes
and providing valuable information about known and suspected offenders
Judgment - Public belief that police actions are morally justified and
appropriate
Result - Citizens are more likely to cooperate and defer in moments of crisis
Circumstances when filming police officers is permissible - correct-answers-
•At least one party to the encounter consents or
•When officers are carrying out their duties in public, so long as it does not
interfere with the officers carrying out their duties
The relationship between race, genetics, and physical characteristics -
correct-answers-•Race is a modern concept used to classify people by
similar, observable physical characteristics
•It is not, as many people think, based on genetics
•Despite surface appearances, humans are one of the most genetically
similar of all species and ...
•Within the human species, there is no distinct genetic profile that
completely distinguishes one so-called race from another
•This is because most genetically influenced traits, like skin color, hair, eye
shape, blood type, athleticism, and intelligence, are inherited completely
independent of one another
The connection between in-groups, out-groups and police legitimacy -
correct-answers-•Some individuals interpret their encounters with police in
terms of their group's societal position rather than, or in addition to, the
immediate circumstances of the police contact
Types of racism - correct-answers-Individual racism - Internalized,
unexpressed biases and prejudices based on race
Interpersonal racism - Occurs between individuals. Includes public
expressions of racial prejudice and hate made by individuals
Institutional racism
•Race based discriminatory policies and treatment that are produced and
perpetuated by institutions (e.g., schools, mass media, governments, banks)
that result in inequitable opportunities and impacts
•Occurs within and between institutions
, •Includes the discriminatory actions of individuals exercising the authority of
the institution (e.g., a bank loan officer, representing a banking institution,
treating someone with racial bias; a police officer, representing a law
enforcement institution, treating someone with racial bias)
Structural racism
•Refers to the collective way history, culture, and institutions reinforce and
perpetuate racializedoutcomes, even in the absence of racist intent
•It is broadly encompassing - it touches on all aspects of society (e.g.,
history, politics, economics) and is the foundation from which the other types
of racism emerge
•Indicators include power inequalities, unequal access to opportunities, and
differing policy outcomes by race, whether or not intentional
Components of bias - correct-answers-•Stereotypes - generalizations about
the perceived "typical" characteristics of a social category (i.e., cognitive
component)
‒We categorize people by age, gender, race, and role
‒Stereotypes do not necessarily have to have a negative connotation, as
social scientists point out that it is just a way for our brain to quickly sort
people into recognizable groups
•Prejudices - an often negative prejudgment based on characteristics such
as race, age, etc. that is not necessarily reasonable or logical
•Attitude - positive or negative feelings associated with individuals or
groups; the tendency to like or dislike, or to act favorably or unfavorably,
toward someone or something
Bias-based profiling and criminal profiling - correct-answers-•Bias-based
profiling, racial profiling, and illegal profiling have the same meaning and are
used interchangeably
•Bias-based profiling is unequal treatment by a law enforcement officer of
any person by stopping, questioning, searching, detaining or arresting
him/her on the basis of the person's ethnic or racial characteristics, gender,
religion, or sexual orientation
•Criminal profiling - based on observed behaviors and characteristics
•Bias-based profiling - the factors of race/ethnicity and bias towards that
race are initiating factors for law enforcement intervention
Two types of bias - correct-answers-Explicit bias and implicit bias - common
characteristics
•Everyone possesses them
•They have real-world effects on behavior
•They can relate, for example, to race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability,
height, weight, or age
Explicit bias - conscious preference (positive or negative) for a social
category
Implicit bias - preference (positive or negative) for a social category based
on stereotypes or attitudes that we hold and tend to develop early in life and
that operate outside of our awareness
CORRECT ANSWERS
The relationship between a student performance objective and a test
question - correct-answers-A test question must respond directly to an SPO
and every SPO may be the basis of a test question
The ultimate reason for law enforcement training - correct-answers-To be
able to protect life and property of yourself and the public
A peace officer's main goals - correct-answers-1. Enforce laws
2. Preserve the peace
3. Prevent crimes
4. Protect civil rights and liberties
5. Provide services
Considerations when exercising discretion - correct-answers-•Use sound
judgment to determine which laws are to be formally enforced
•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)
Factors necessary for the commission of a crime (crime triangle) - correct-
answers-1. Desire
•The motivation behind criminal behavior (e.g., financial gain, power,
revenge, fear, narcotics usage)
•This factor is the most difficult to change
2. 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
3. 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
Core concepts of community policing - correct-answers-- 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
Considerations for off duty situations - correct-answers-1. 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
2. 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 withdispatch 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-answers-- protect an
individual's freedoms
- prevent the government from interfering in protected rights
Describe the major components of the criminal justice system - correct-
answers-1. Law enforcement
2. Courts
3. Corrections
List the goals of sentencing - correct-answers-1. punish the offender and in
many cases, rehabilitate the offender
2. Protect society
3. Restore the victim as much as possible
The concepts of lawful actions and police legitimacy - correct-answers-1.
Lawful - defined by laws and standards
•Criminal law - identifies what actions are prohibited
•Rules of agency (e.g., administrative rules, general orders, standard
operating procedures)
•Constitutional law (e.g., Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Amendments)
•Officers can act lawfully and within the parameters of agency policy and
the citizenry still not perceive there to be police legitimacy - there can be
lawful, but awful interactions
2. Police legitimacy - exists when the public views the police as authorized to
exercise power in order to maintain social order, manage conflicts, and solve
problems in the community
Three resulting judgments of police legitimacy in action that translate into
positive results - correct-answers-Judgment
,- Public trust and confidence in the police as being honest, trying to do jobs
well, trying to protect the community
Result - Individuals are more likely to become actively involved in police-
community partnerships
Judgment - Public willingness to defer to the law and police authority
Result - There is a correlation between those who obey the laws and those
who view the police as legitimate; in addition, those who see the police as
legitimate have an increased willingness to cooperate by reporting crimes
and providing valuable information about known and suspected offenders
Judgment - Public belief that police actions are morally justified and
appropriate
Result - Citizens are more likely to cooperate and defer in moments of crisis
Circumstances when filming police officers is permissible - correct-answers-
•At least one party to the encounter consents or
•When officers are carrying out their duties in public, so long as it does not
interfere with the officers carrying out their duties
The relationship between race, genetics, and physical characteristics -
correct-answers-•Race is a modern concept used to classify people by
similar, observable physical characteristics
•It is not, as many people think, based on genetics
•Despite surface appearances, humans are one of the most genetically
similar of all species and ...
•Within the human species, there is no distinct genetic profile that
completely distinguishes one so-called race from another
•This is because most genetically influenced traits, like skin color, hair, eye
shape, blood type, athleticism, and intelligence, are inherited completely
independent of one another
The connection between in-groups, out-groups and police legitimacy -
correct-answers-•Some individuals interpret their encounters with police in
terms of their group's societal position rather than, or in addition to, the
immediate circumstances of the police contact
Types of racism - correct-answers-Individual racism - Internalized,
unexpressed biases and prejudices based on race
Interpersonal racism - Occurs between individuals. Includes public
expressions of racial prejudice and hate made by individuals
Institutional racism
•Race based discriminatory policies and treatment that are produced and
perpetuated by institutions (e.g., schools, mass media, governments, banks)
that result in inequitable opportunities and impacts
•Occurs within and between institutions
, •Includes the discriminatory actions of individuals exercising the authority of
the institution (e.g., a bank loan officer, representing a banking institution,
treating someone with racial bias; a police officer, representing a law
enforcement institution, treating someone with racial bias)
Structural racism
•Refers to the collective way history, culture, and institutions reinforce and
perpetuate racializedoutcomes, even in the absence of racist intent
•It is broadly encompassing - it touches on all aspects of society (e.g.,
history, politics, economics) and is the foundation from which the other types
of racism emerge
•Indicators include power inequalities, unequal access to opportunities, and
differing policy outcomes by race, whether or not intentional
Components of bias - correct-answers-•Stereotypes - generalizations about
the perceived "typical" characteristics of a social category (i.e., cognitive
component)
‒We categorize people by age, gender, race, and role
‒Stereotypes do not necessarily have to have a negative connotation, as
social scientists point out that it is just a way for our brain to quickly sort
people into recognizable groups
•Prejudices - an often negative prejudgment based on characteristics such
as race, age, etc. that is not necessarily reasonable or logical
•Attitude - positive or negative feelings associated with individuals or
groups; the tendency to like or dislike, or to act favorably or unfavorably,
toward someone or something
Bias-based profiling and criminal profiling - correct-answers-•Bias-based
profiling, racial profiling, and illegal profiling have the same meaning and are
used interchangeably
•Bias-based profiling is unequal treatment by a law enforcement officer of
any person by stopping, questioning, searching, detaining or arresting
him/her on the basis of the person's ethnic or racial characteristics, gender,
religion, or sexual orientation
•Criminal profiling - based on observed behaviors and characteristics
•Bias-based profiling - the factors of race/ethnicity and bias towards that
race are initiating factors for law enforcement intervention
Two types of bias - correct-answers-Explicit bias and implicit bias - common
characteristics
•Everyone possesses them
•They have real-world effects on behavior
•They can relate, for example, to race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability,
height, weight, or age
Explicit bias - conscious preference (positive or negative) for a social
category
Implicit bias - preference (positive or negative) for a social category based
on stereotypes or attitudes that we hold and tend to develop early in life and
that operate outside of our awareness
