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LD 15 LAPD COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025-2026 QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED AND 100% ACCURATE ANSWERS
BRAND NEW EXAM ALREADY GRADED A+.
1. Topic: Definition of Arrest
Question: Which of the following best defines an arrest under California
law?
A. Detaining a person for questioning
B. Taking a person into custody in a case and manner authorized by law
C. Issuing a citation for a misdemeanor
D. Conducting a stop and frisk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Arrest is legally defined as taking a person into custody in a
manner authorized by law, not just detaining or citing them.
Reference: California Penal Code § 834
🔗 California Legislative Info – PC 834
2. Topic: Elements of a Lawful Arrest
Question: Which elements are required for a lawful arrest?
A. Custody
B. Intent
C. Probable Cause
D. Authority
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: A valid arrest requires all four: authority of the officer, intent to
arrest, custody, and probable cause.
Reference: LD 15 Student Workbook (POST)
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3. Topic: Probable Cause
Question: Probable cause exists when:
A. An officer has a “gut feeling” a suspect is guilty
B. Facts would cause a reasonable person to believe a crime was committed
and the suspect committed it
C. There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt
D. There is direct evidence only (no circumstantial)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Probable cause is based on facts leading a reasonable person to
believe a crime was committed; it is less than beyond a reasonable doubt but
more than a hunch.
Reference: U.S. Constitution, 4th Amendment; Case law – Brinegar v.
United States (1949)
4. Topic: Arrest Procedure
Question: According to PC 835, an arrest may be made by:
A. Verbal order only
B. Actual restraint
C. Person voluntarily submitting
D. Officer reading Miranda rights
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: An arrest occurs by actual restraint or voluntary submission;
Miranda rights are not required to make the arrest itself.
Reference: California Penal Code § 835
🔗 California Legislative Info – PC 835
5. Topic: Encounters vs. Detentions
Question: Which statement best distinguishes a consensual encounter from
a detention?
A. A consensual encounter requires probable cause
B. A detention requires reasonable suspicion
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C. A consensual encounter is voluntary
D. A detention is always based on an arrest warrant
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: A consensual encounter is voluntary, and a detention requires
reasonable suspicion but not probable cause or a warrant.
Reference: LD 15, U.S. Supreme Court – Terry v. Ohio (1968)
5. Topic: Reasonable Suspicion
Question: What standard is required for a lawful detention?
A. Probable cause
B. Reasonable suspicion
C. Beyond a reasonable doubt
D. Preponderance of the evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Detentions only require reasonable suspicion supported by
specific, articulable facts. Probable cause is only required for an arrest.
Reference: Terry v. Ohio (1968); LD 15
6. Topic: Searches During Detention
Question: During a lawful detention, an officer may frisk a suspect when:
A. The officer always has the right during any detention
B. The officer believes the suspect is armed and dangerous
C. The suspect refuses to answer questions
D. The suspect has committed a misdemeanor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A frisk is not automatic; it requires reasonable belief the suspect
may be armed and dangerous.
Reference: Terry v. Ohio (1968)
7. Topic: Probable Cause vs. Reasonable Suspicion
Question: Which of the following correctly describes probable cause vs.
reasonable suspicion?
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A. Probable cause is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion
B. Reasonable suspicion is the same as probable cause
C. Reasonable suspicion requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt
D. Probable cause requires articulable facts
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale: Probable cause is a higher level of justification than reasonable
suspicion, both requiring articulable facts.
Reference: LD 15 Workbook
8. Topic: Custody Requirement
Question: Custody in an arrest means:
A. Suspect’s movement is controlled by the officer
B. Suspect is always handcuffed
C. Suspect must be transported to jail
D. Miranda warnings have been read
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Custody means loss of freedom, not necessarily handcuffs or
transport.
Reference: PC § 834; LD 15
9. Topic: Misdemeanor Arrests
Question: According to PC 836, when may an officer arrest without a
warrant for a misdemeanor?
A. When the offense is committed in the officer’s presence
B. When the officer has probable cause a misdemeanor occurred yesterday
C. When the suspect admits guilt
D. When an anonymous tip is received
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Misdemeanor arrests without a warrant generally require the
crime to occur in the officer’s presence.
Reference: PC § 836(a)(1)
LD 15 LAPD COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025-2026 QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED AND 100% ACCURATE ANSWERS
BRAND NEW EXAM ALREADY GRADED A+.
1. Topic: Definition of Arrest
Question: Which of the following best defines an arrest under California
law?
A. Detaining a person for questioning
B. Taking a person into custody in a case and manner authorized by law
C. Issuing a citation for a misdemeanor
D. Conducting a stop and frisk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Arrest is legally defined as taking a person into custody in a
manner authorized by law, not just detaining or citing them.
Reference: California Penal Code § 834
🔗 California Legislative Info – PC 834
2. Topic: Elements of a Lawful Arrest
Question: Which elements are required for a lawful arrest?
A. Custody
B. Intent
C. Probable Cause
D. Authority
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: A valid arrest requires all four: authority of the officer, intent to
arrest, custody, and probable cause.
Reference: LD 15 Student Workbook (POST)
,2|Page
3. Topic: Probable Cause
Question: Probable cause exists when:
A. An officer has a “gut feeling” a suspect is guilty
B. Facts would cause a reasonable person to believe a crime was committed
and the suspect committed it
C. There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt
D. There is direct evidence only (no circumstantial)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Probable cause is based on facts leading a reasonable person to
believe a crime was committed; it is less than beyond a reasonable doubt but
more than a hunch.
Reference: U.S. Constitution, 4th Amendment; Case law – Brinegar v.
United States (1949)
4. Topic: Arrest Procedure
Question: According to PC 835, an arrest may be made by:
A. Verbal order only
B. Actual restraint
C. Person voluntarily submitting
D. Officer reading Miranda rights
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: An arrest occurs by actual restraint or voluntary submission;
Miranda rights are not required to make the arrest itself.
Reference: California Penal Code § 835
🔗 California Legislative Info – PC 835
5. Topic: Encounters vs. Detentions
Question: Which statement best distinguishes a consensual encounter from
a detention?
A. A consensual encounter requires probable cause
B. A detention requires reasonable suspicion
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C. A consensual encounter is voluntary
D. A detention is always based on an arrest warrant
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: A consensual encounter is voluntary, and a detention requires
reasonable suspicion but not probable cause or a warrant.
Reference: LD 15, U.S. Supreme Court – Terry v. Ohio (1968)
5. Topic: Reasonable Suspicion
Question: What standard is required for a lawful detention?
A. Probable cause
B. Reasonable suspicion
C. Beyond a reasonable doubt
D. Preponderance of the evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Detentions only require reasonable suspicion supported by
specific, articulable facts. Probable cause is only required for an arrest.
Reference: Terry v. Ohio (1968); LD 15
6. Topic: Searches During Detention
Question: During a lawful detention, an officer may frisk a suspect when:
A. The officer always has the right during any detention
B. The officer believes the suspect is armed and dangerous
C. The suspect refuses to answer questions
D. The suspect has committed a misdemeanor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A frisk is not automatic; it requires reasonable belief the suspect
may be armed and dangerous.
Reference: Terry v. Ohio (1968)
7. Topic: Probable Cause vs. Reasonable Suspicion
Question: Which of the following correctly describes probable cause vs.
reasonable suspicion?
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A. Probable cause is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion
B. Reasonable suspicion is the same as probable cause
C. Reasonable suspicion requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt
D. Probable cause requires articulable facts
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale: Probable cause is a higher level of justification than reasonable
suspicion, both requiring articulable facts.
Reference: LD 15 Workbook
8. Topic: Custody Requirement
Question: Custody in an arrest means:
A. Suspect’s movement is controlled by the officer
B. Suspect is always handcuffed
C. Suspect must be transported to jail
D. Miranda warnings have been read
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Custody means loss of freedom, not necessarily handcuffs or
transport.
Reference: PC § 834; LD 15
9. Topic: Misdemeanor Arrests
Question: According to PC 836, when may an officer arrest without a
warrant for a misdemeanor?
A. When the offense is committed in the officer’s presence
B. When the officer has probable cause a misdemeanor occurred yesterday
C. When the suspect admits guilt
D. When an anonymous tip is received
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Misdemeanor arrests without a warrant generally require the
crime to occur in the officer’s presence.
Reference: PC § 836(a)(1)
