2025/2026
DOMAIN 1: CORE DISPATCH PRINCIPLES & INCIDENT PRIORITIES (Q1–Q25)
Question 1
Which of the following correctly lists the four Law Enforcement incident priorities in order of
importance?
A) Caller safety, Officer safety, Apprehending suspects, Additional information
B) Apprehending suspects, Officer safety, Caller safety, Additional information
C) Officer/Deputy safety, Caller safety, Apprehending suspects, Additional information
D) Additional information, Officer safety, Caller safety, Apprehending suspects
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The four Law Enforcement incident priorities, in descending order, are: (1) Officer/Deputy
safety, (2) Caller safety, (3) Apprehending suspects, and (4) Additional information. Officer safety is
always first because a compromised officer cannot protect anyone else.
Question 2
A dispatcher adds questions beyond the written protocol because they believe more detail will help
responding units. According to De Luca's Law, this action is:
A) Acceptable if the additional questions are relevant
B) Acceptable if approved by a supervisor
C) Prohibited unless it enhances, not replaces, the written protocol questions and scripts
D) Prohibited under all circumstances without exception
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: De Luca's Law permits additional questioning only when it enhances — never replaces — the
written protocol questions and scripts. The dispatcher must complete all written protocol questions first
and in order.
Question 3
Which of the following best describes the four call processing objectives of the PPDS?
A) Answer the phone, verify the address, send help, complete paperwork
B) Collect incident information, collect scene safety information, identify the correct response, assess
need for DLS
C) Identify location, identify suspect, identify vehicle, dispatch
D) Calm the caller, obtain information, dispatch, update the caller
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The four call processing objectives are: (1) Collect incident information, (2) Collect scene
safety information, (3) Identify the correct response, and (4) Assess the need for Dispatch Life Support
(DLS) instructions.
Question 4
A caller reports a situation that occurred three days ago, and the suspect is no longer in the area. This is
classified as:
A) A hot call requiring full interrogation
B) A cold call following the purple circle key questions
C) An emergency call requiring immediate dispatch
D) A welfare check requiring no interrogation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A cold call involves a PAST event that does not require full interrogation because the suspect,
person, or vehicle is not in the area. Cold calls follow the purple circle key questions.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of a sound quality improvement (QI) process in an EPD center?
A) To punish dispatchers who deviate from protocol
B) To reduce operating costs
C) To reinforce appropriate EPD behaviors
D) To increase call volume metrics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sound QI process is designed to reinforce appropriate behaviors of the Emergency Police
Dispatcher, promoting continuous improvement. It is not punitive in nature.
Question 6
A dispatcher uses ALL CAPS text in the PPDS to identify:
A) Optional questions the dispatcher may skip
B) Words or phrases with a specific dispatch definition
C) Questions only supervisors can ask
D) Questions to be read verbatim without modification
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Words or phrases in ALL UPPERCASE have a specific dispatch definition within the PPDS.
Dispatchers must understand and apply these precise meanings.
Question 7
Emergency Vehicle Collisions (EVCs) are significant in EPD training primarily because they:
A) Are unavoidable in emergency response
B) Are a leading cause of police officer fatalities
C) Only occur during non-emergency calls
D) Result primarily from dispatcher error
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EVCs are a leading cause of police officer fatalities. This reinforces the critical importance of
accurate response assignment and emergency mode selection by the EPD.
Question 8
In some agencies, call-taking and dispatching are performed by separate individuals. This statement is:
A) False — these roles are always combined
B) True — agency structure and size determine role separation
C) False — only large agencies separate roles
D) True — but only for supervisory personnel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Depending on agency structure and size, call-taking and dispatching duties may be handled
by different personnel or teams. This is a true statement.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT one of the four Law Enforcement incident priorities?
A) Officer/Deputy safety
B) Caller safety
C) Completing the incident report
D) Apprehending suspects
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Completing the incident report is not one of the four incident priorities. The four are:
Officer/Deputy safety, Caller safety, Apprehending suspects, and Additional information.