UTAH LEO STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔Circumstances which certification may become inactive or lapsed - ✔✔1. Inactive =
not actively engaged for 18 months. Reactive by passing both the written and physical
exam
2. Lapsed = Not actively engaged for 4 years. Reactive by taking basic training again.
✔✔Prerequisites and requirements to exercise peace officer authority - ✔✔1. Certified.
(Complete training academy and passing exams)
2. Sworn. (Employed by or affiliated with an agency)
✔✔Explain cognitive dissonance - ✔✔The discomfort caused by holding conflicting
cognitions (ideas, beliefs, values, and emotions) simultaneously
✔✔Awareness color code - ✔✔1. White, Unaware and unprepared
2. Yellow, Relaxed alert
3. Orange, Specific alert. Something isn't right and has gotten your attention
4. Red, Fight! Your mental trigger has been tripped
5. Black, Paralyzed and unable to respond to threats. Appears to be frozen
✔✔Behavior that may jeopardize officer safety during any traffic stop - ✔✔1. Excitement
2. Confusion
3. Complacency
✔✔Factors to consider when determining whether they can legally initiate contact with a
person - ✔✔1. Subjects action
2. Area of the stop
3. Time of day
4. Police purpose
5. Information from informant/complainant
✔✔Procedures before approaching the subject - ✔✔1. Notify dispatch
2. Request back up
3. Observe subject, if feasible
4. Look for bulges
5. Watch hands
6. Remain alert
7. Have a plan
✔✔Tactics for a foot pursuit - ✔✔1. Follow suspect's path step by step
2. Keep tools in their holsters
3. Swing wide to maximize line of sight and cover
4. Keep dispatch advised of location
5. Terminate if visual lost for more than 3 seconds
, 6. Continue giving verbal commands
✔✔Officer's responsibilities when encountering a civil dispute - ✔✔1. Keep the peace
2. Determine if a crime has been committed
3. Provide safety to people and property
4. Attempt to find solutions. ( Do not give legal advice and do not get involved)
✔✔Additional safety precautions an officer should take on traffic stops - ✔✔1. Request
all occupants to stay inside the vehicle
2. Do not stand in between vehicles
3. Continually watch suspects until they have driven off
✔✔Procedure to follow when issuing a citation - ✔✔1. Have them sign the citation
2. Advise signing is not an admission of guilt but a promise to contact the courts
3. If you can't ID the offender, have them place a thumbprint in the designated area
4. Give detailed and complete information regarding the settlement
5. Provide them a copy.
✔✔Steps to minimize safety hazards during a high risk traffic stop - ✔✔1. Have a plan
2. Talk over possible problems
3. Properly position patrol vehicles
4. Lead/Primary officer will give commands
5. Use cover
6. Use lighting
7. Have suspect place keys on the roof.
✔✔Steps to be taken before making a high risk traffic stop - ✔✔1. Select a proper
location to conduct the stop
2. Wait for back up
3. Use cover
4. Constant observation
5. Continue to communicate
6. Do not do it alone. Wait for back up
✔✔Items an officer should check to be sure a license is valid - ✔✔1. Restrictions front
and back
2. Compare license description/picture to the offender
3. Expiration date
4. Any alterations
5. Ask questions such as address, DOB, and age
✔✔Proper procedure to safely stop and approach a semi truck - ✔✔1. Be aware of
visibility problems due to size of the truck
2. Request brakes to be set
3. Instruct driver to exit truck
QUESTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔Circumstances which certification may become inactive or lapsed - ✔✔1. Inactive =
not actively engaged for 18 months. Reactive by passing both the written and physical
exam
2. Lapsed = Not actively engaged for 4 years. Reactive by taking basic training again.
✔✔Prerequisites and requirements to exercise peace officer authority - ✔✔1. Certified.
(Complete training academy and passing exams)
2. Sworn. (Employed by or affiliated with an agency)
✔✔Explain cognitive dissonance - ✔✔The discomfort caused by holding conflicting
cognitions (ideas, beliefs, values, and emotions) simultaneously
✔✔Awareness color code - ✔✔1. White, Unaware and unprepared
2. Yellow, Relaxed alert
3. Orange, Specific alert. Something isn't right and has gotten your attention
4. Red, Fight! Your mental trigger has been tripped
5. Black, Paralyzed and unable to respond to threats. Appears to be frozen
✔✔Behavior that may jeopardize officer safety during any traffic stop - ✔✔1. Excitement
2. Confusion
3. Complacency
✔✔Factors to consider when determining whether they can legally initiate contact with a
person - ✔✔1. Subjects action
2. Area of the stop
3. Time of day
4. Police purpose
5. Information from informant/complainant
✔✔Procedures before approaching the subject - ✔✔1. Notify dispatch
2. Request back up
3. Observe subject, if feasible
4. Look for bulges
5. Watch hands
6. Remain alert
7. Have a plan
✔✔Tactics for a foot pursuit - ✔✔1. Follow suspect's path step by step
2. Keep tools in their holsters
3. Swing wide to maximize line of sight and cover
4. Keep dispatch advised of location
5. Terminate if visual lost for more than 3 seconds
, 6. Continue giving verbal commands
✔✔Officer's responsibilities when encountering a civil dispute - ✔✔1. Keep the peace
2. Determine if a crime has been committed
3. Provide safety to people and property
4. Attempt to find solutions. ( Do not give legal advice and do not get involved)
✔✔Additional safety precautions an officer should take on traffic stops - ✔✔1. Request
all occupants to stay inside the vehicle
2. Do not stand in between vehicles
3. Continually watch suspects until they have driven off
✔✔Procedure to follow when issuing a citation - ✔✔1. Have them sign the citation
2. Advise signing is not an admission of guilt but a promise to contact the courts
3. If you can't ID the offender, have them place a thumbprint in the designated area
4. Give detailed and complete information regarding the settlement
5. Provide them a copy.
✔✔Steps to minimize safety hazards during a high risk traffic stop - ✔✔1. Have a plan
2. Talk over possible problems
3. Properly position patrol vehicles
4. Lead/Primary officer will give commands
5. Use cover
6. Use lighting
7. Have suspect place keys on the roof.
✔✔Steps to be taken before making a high risk traffic stop - ✔✔1. Select a proper
location to conduct the stop
2. Wait for back up
3. Use cover
4. Constant observation
5. Continue to communicate
6. Do not do it alone. Wait for back up
✔✔Items an officer should check to be sure a license is valid - ✔✔1. Restrictions front
and back
2. Compare license description/picture to the offender
3. Expiration date
4. Any alterations
5. Ask questions such as address, DOB, and age
✔✔Proper procedure to safely stop and approach a semi truck - ✔✔1. Be aware of
visibility problems due to size of the truck
2. Request brakes to be set
3. Instruct driver to exit truck
