EPD v7 Exam Questions and Verified Answers
2026 | Comprehensive Practice Test & Study
Guide PDF
Core Dispatch Principles & Protocol Use
Question 1
In some agencies, the responsibilities of call taking and dispatching are distinct roles
performed by separate individuals.
A. False
B. True
This statement is true. Depending on the agency's structure and size, call-taking and
dispatching duties may be handled by different personnel or teams .
Question 2
How do protocols help you process calls more effectively than policies or guidelines?
A. They are shorter and easier to memorize
B. They provide specific interrogation questions and caller instructions
C. They allow for freelance questioning to gather more information
D. They only focus on the final disposition of the call
Protocols provide structured, specific interrogation questions and caller instructions,
ensuring a consistent and thorough approach to each call. This is the core function of the
Priority Dispatch System .
Question 3
Which of the following best describes the difference between certification and
accreditation?
A. They are the same process
B. Individuals are certified; agencies are accredited
C. Agencies are certified; individuals are accredited
D. Both require a written exam only
Certification applies to individuals who have demonstrated competency, while
accreditation is a formal recognition that an agency meets established standards .
,Question 4
Which of the following is NOT one of the four Law Enforcement incident priorities?
A. Officer / Deputy safety
B. Caller safety
C. Apprehending suspects
D. Completing the report
The four law enforcement incident priorities are Officer/Deputy safety, Caller safety,
Apprehending suspects, and Additional Information. Completing the report is not a priority
during the initial response .
Question 5
What is a "Cold Call"?
A. A call about a deceased person
B. A call where the caller is not in danger
C. A call for service involving a PAST event that does not require a full
interrogation
D. A call about a traffic violation
A cold call is defined as a call for service involving a past event that does not require a full
interrogation because, by the caller's assessment, the suspect, person, or vehicle is not in
the area .
Question 6
What are the four call processing objectives that the PPDS is designed to meet?
A. Identify the location, identify the suspect, identify the vehicle, and dispatch
B. Collect information, collect scene safety, identify response, and assess for DLS
C. Answer the phone, verify the address, send help, and complete paperwork
D. Calm the caller, get information, dispatch, and update the caller
The four call processing objectives are to: 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 7
A sound and effective quality improvement process is designed to:
A. Punish employees for mistakes
B. Increase call volume
C. Reinforce EPD's appropriate behaviors
D. Reduce training costs
,A sound quality improvement process is designed to reinforce the appropriate behaviors of
the Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD), promoting best practices and continuous
improvement .
Question 8
What is "De Luca's Law"?
A. "Ask questions twice, then move on."
B. "Emergency dispatchers will follow all protocols per se, avoiding freelance
questioning or information unless it enhances, not replaces, the written protocol
questions and scripts."
C. "A thing not looked for is seldom found."
D. "Always dispatch the closest unit."
De Luca's Law states that dispatchers must follow protocols, avoiding freelance
questioning, and may only seek additional information if it enhances, rather than replaces,
the written protocol .
Question 9
What is "Frenza's Law"?
A. "Emergency dispatchers will follow all protocols per se."
B. "A thing not looked for is seldom found."
C. "Dispatch before the key questions are finished."
D. "Always ask the caller if they are safe."
Frenza's Law states "A thing not looked for is seldom found," emphasizing the importance
of thorough questioning to uncover all relevant details .
Question 10
What are the four Law Enforcement incident priorities?
A. Caller safety, suspect apprehension, witness interviews, and officer safety
B. Officer safety, caller safety, suspect apprehension, and additional information
C. Officer safety, evidence collection, caller safety, and suspect apprehension
D. Caller safety, scene security, officer safety, and suspect apprehension
The four priorities are: 1) Officer/Deputy safety, 2) Caller safety, 3) Apprehending suspects,
and 4) Additional information .
Protocol Navigation & Call-Taking
Question 11
A 3rd or 4th Party Caller is considered:
, A. In danger and should be given immediate instructions
B. The primary victim of the incident
C. Safe and out of danger
D. The primary suspect
Third and fourth-party callers are considered safe and out of danger as they are not
directly involved in the incident .
Question 12
What does the "ECHO" determinant indicate?
A. The call is not an emergency
B. Send the response before key questions are finished
C. The caller is in danger
D. The incident is a "cold call"
An ECHO determinant allows for early dispatch initiation for specific immediate dangers,
meaning units should be sent before the key questions are finished .
Question 13
What is a "Shunt" in the context of PPDS protocols?
A. The termination of a call
B. The dispatch of a second unit
C. The action of moving to a more specific Chief Complaint Protocol when it
becomes known
D. The notification of a supervisor
A shunt occurs when a more specific chief complaint becomes known during interrogation,
directing the EPD to the correct, more specific protocol .
Question 14
How do you verify information given by a caller?
A. Ask them to email it
B. Have them repeat it to you twice
C. Ask them to spell it out and confirm
D. Verify it through a database
To verify information, the EPD should have the caller repeat it to them, typically twice, to
ensure accuracy .
Question 15
Key Questions must be asked:
A. In any order that makes sense
2026 | Comprehensive Practice Test & Study
Guide PDF
Core Dispatch Principles & Protocol Use
Question 1
In some agencies, the responsibilities of call taking and dispatching are distinct roles
performed by separate individuals.
A. False
B. True
This statement is true. Depending on the agency's structure and size, call-taking and
dispatching duties may be handled by different personnel or teams .
Question 2
How do protocols help you process calls more effectively than policies or guidelines?
A. They are shorter and easier to memorize
B. They provide specific interrogation questions and caller instructions
C. They allow for freelance questioning to gather more information
D. They only focus on the final disposition of the call
Protocols provide structured, specific interrogation questions and caller instructions,
ensuring a consistent and thorough approach to each call. This is the core function of the
Priority Dispatch System .
Question 3
Which of the following best describes the difference between certification and
accreditation?
A. They are the same process
B. Individuals are certified; agencies are accredited
C. Agencies are certified; individuals are accredited
D. Both require a written exam only
Certification applies to individuals who have demonstrated competency, while
accreditation is a formal recognition that an agency meets established standards .
,Question 4
Which of the following is NOT one of the four Law Enforcement incident priorities?
A. Officer / Deputy safety
B. Caller safety
C. Apprehending suspects
D. Completing the report
The four law enforcement incident priorities are Officer/Deputy safety, Caller safety,
Apprehending suspects, and Additional Information. Completing the report is not a priority
during the initial response .
Question 5
What is a "Cold Call"?
A. A call about a deceased person
B. A call where the caller is not in danger
C. A call for service involving a PAST event that does not require a full
interrogation
D. A call about a traffic violation
A cold call is defined as a call for service involving a past event that does not require a full
interrogation because, by the caller's assessment, the suspect, person, or vehicle is not in
the area .
Question 6
What are the four call processing objectives that the PPDS is designed to meet?
A. Identify the location, identify the suspect, identify the vehicle, and dispatch
B. Collect information, collect scene safety, identify response, and assess for DLS
C. Answer the phone, verify the address, send help, and complete paperwork
D. Calm the caller, get information, dispatch, and update the caller
The four call processing objectives are to: 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 7
A sound and effective quality improvement process is designed to:
A. Punish employees for mistakes
B. Increase call volume
C. Reinforce EPD's appropriate behaviors
D. Reduce training costs
,A sound quality improvement process is designed to reinforce the appropriate behaviors of
the Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD), promoting best practices and continuous
improvement .
Question 8
What is "De Luca's Law"?
A. "Ask questions twice, then move on."
B. "Emergency dispatchers will follow all protocols per se, avoiding freelance
questioning or information unless it enhances, not replaces, the written protocol
questions and scripts."
C. "A thing not looked for is seldom found."
D. "Always dispatch the closest unit."
De Luca's Law states that dispatchers must follow protocols, avoiding freelance
questioning, and may only seek additional information if it enhances, rather than replaces,
the written protocol .
Question 9
What is "Frenza's Law"?
A. "Emergency dispatchers will follow all protocols per se."
B. "A thing not looked for is seldom found."
C. "Dispatch before the key questions are finished."
D. "Always ask the caller if they are safe."
Frenza's Law states "A thing not looked for is seldom found," emphasizing the importance
of thorough questioning to uncover all relevant details .
Question 10
What are the four Law Enforcement incident priorities?
A. Caller safety, suspect apprehension, witness interviews, and officer safety
B. Officer safety, caller safety, suspect apprehension, and additional information
C. Officer safety, evidence collection, caller safety, and suspect apprehension
D. Caller safety, scene security, officer safety, and suspect apprehension
The four priorities are: 1) Officer/Deputy safety, 2) Caller safety, 3) Apprehending suspects,
and 4) Additional information .
Protocol Navigation & Call-Taking
Question 11
A 3rd or 4th Party Caller is considered:
, A. In danger and should be given immediate instructions
B. The primary victim of the incident
C. Safe and out of danger
D. The primary suspect
Third and fourth-party callers are considered safe and out of danger as they are not
directly involved in the incident .
Question 12
What does the "ECHO" determinant indicate?
A. The call is not an emergency
B. Send the response before key questions are finished
C. The caller is in danger
D. The incident is a "cold call"
An ECHO determinant allows for early dispatch initiation for specific immediate dangers,
meaning units should be sent before the key questions are finished .
Question 13
What is a "Shunt" in the context of PPDS protocols?
A. The termination of a call
B. The dispatch of a second unit
C. The action of moving to a more specific Chief Complaint Protocol when it
becomes known
D. The notification of a supervisor
A shunt occurs when a more specific chief complaint becomes known during interrogation,
directing the EPD to the correct, more specific protocol .
Question 14
How do you verify information given by a caller?
A. Ask them to email it
B. Have them repeat it to you twice
C. Ask them to spell it out and confirm
D. Verify it through a database
To verify information, the EPD should have the caller repeat it to them, typically twice, to
ensure accuracy .
Question 15
Key Questions must be asked:
A. In any order that makes sense
