Texas Peace Officer Training Quiz

Texas Law Enforcement Study Notes

• Passenger/Occupant Identification: Identify all passengers or occupants of a vehicle.

• Driver Identification & Vehicle Check: Identify the driver and check the driver's and vehicle's condition.

• Statement of Action: Outline the action to be taken.

Texas Peace Officer Memorial Eligibility

• Eligibility Requirements: Individuals eligible for the Texas Peace Officer Memorial include law enforcement officers (state, federal, or corrections/detention), in line of duty deaths.

Traffic Stops

• Articulated Violation: Officer must articulate a traffic violation or criminal act before making a traffic stop.

• Officer Instructions: A stop can be made following instructions from another officer.

• Prohibited Criteria: Stopping based on race or ethnicity or quota requirements is prohibited.

Arrest Procedures

• Officer Protection: Officers must be prepared to protect themselves, property, and others during arrests.

• Victim Liaison Duty: A crime victims liaison ensures victims, guardians, and relatives of deceased victims receive their rights.

Tactical Stop Categories

• Stop Risk Categories: Most traffic stops fall under a general "low risk" category. Other categories exist (unknown, high, mid risk).

Handgun License and Liquor Stores

• Handgun License and Liquor: A Texas handgun license holder possessing a concealed pistol in a liquor store has not committed a crime.

Canine Conflict Avoidance

• Canine Avoidance Techniques: An important canine conflict avoidance technique involves calmly speaking to the dog while observing surroundings for an escape route.
• Blading off: Turning body sideways (blading off) stops forward movement.
• Avoid Immediate Flight: Running away when confronting a dog is not advised.

Domestic Violence Trends

• Domestic Violence Escalation: Domestic violence incidents typically increase in frequency and severity over time (escalate).

Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution

• Prostitution Enterprise: A person knowingly managing a prostitution enterprise using 3 or more prostitutes commits aggravated promotion of prostitution.

Child Abuse Reporting and Response

• Timely Response: Peace officers must accompany CPS investigators within 24 hours of being notified of a child abuse report.

Officer Liability

• Potential Failures: Officers can face personal and/or monetary liability or criminal charges for failing to intervene when witnessing excessive force by fellow officers.

Risk Factors in Crime

• Strongest Risk Factors: Studies show community factors as the strongest risk factor in crime. ("Peers" is also mentioned).

Statutory Rape

• Consensual Statutory Rape: A 20-year-old having sex with a consenting 16-year-old could potentially be a crime (Aggravated Sexual Assault or Sexual assault).

Police Reports

• Report Examples: Crash and Supplement reports are common types of police reports.

Bombing Offense

• Bombing: A person detonating a bomb without consent to destroy a building is guilty of arson.

Constitutional Due Process

• Constitutional Amendment: The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments ensure due process of law.

Medical Advisory Board Trigger

• MAB Selection: The MAB box on CR-3 is selected when a vehicle operator involved in a crash is intoxicated or physically ill.

De-Escalation Strategy

• De-Escalation Model: Determining how to proceed falls in the step of "identifying options and determining best course of action" of a De-escalation Model / Critical Decision-Making.

Body Searches

• Body Search Position: Standing body searches should be performed from the front.

Escape from Custody

• Officer Response to Escape: Officers must use reasonable force to effect the arrest or prevent escape.

Peace Officer Roles

• Conservator of the Peace: The sheriff is designated by statute as a conservator of the peace (county).

Critical Incident Decision-Making

• Critical Incident Tool: CDM (Critical Decision Making) guides thinking during critical incidents and aids in examining decisions later.

Verbal Abuse Response

• Verbal Abuse Management: "Deflecting or redirecting" is an often effective technique for verbal abuse.

Left-Side Driving Restrictions

• Intersection Restrictions: Drivers cannot cross the center line when approaching a municipality intersection or railroad grade within 100 feet.

Riot Definition

• Riot Requirement: A riot involves at least two persons with illegal conduct.

Child Photography Warrant

• Post-Photography Actions : After photographing a child, the exposed film (or images) must be delivered to a magistrate.

Human Trafficking Stages

• Human Trafficking Stages: Human Trafficking involves 3 stages.

Neighbor Dispute & Animal Offense

• Animal Cruelty: Neighbor harming a cow could be charged with animal cruelty or malicious mischief.

Search Warrant Return

• Post Warrant Execution: A search warrant must be returned within three days including a statement of warrant execution manner.

Identity Crime Prevention

• Identity Protection: To limit identity crime, maintain records & frequently check credit/bank records for irregularities.

Sexual Assault in Educational Settings

• Teacher-Student Sexual Misconduct: A male educator having sex with a consenting student has likely committed a sex crime.

Nonverbal Communication

• Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal communication during police interaction should be friendly and helpful.

Drug Classifications

• Drug Grouping: Substances such as cocaine, heroin, and meth are part of Penalty Group 1A (or Group 1 or 2).

Resisting Arrest

• Resisting Arrest: Resisting an officer attempting to handcuff you leads to Resisting Arrest.

Officer Influence in Custody

• Custody Influence: Level of control required to safely take someone into custody.

Controlled Substance Manufacturing

• Controlled Substance Manufacturing: "Manufacture, planting, cultivating, growing, or harvesting of a controlled substance." is considered production.

Stop and Frisk Justification

• Legal Justification: The Terry v. Ohio case allowed officers to stop and frisk individuals without probable cause but with reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

Arrest Warrant Fulfillment

• Arrest Warrant Fulfillment: Officers must promptly take those who are under arrest to court.

Police Investigation

• Separate Investigations: Police departments might conduct separate investigations in cases with potential officer criminal charges to resolve conflicts of interest.

Legal Defense Enhancements

• Good Faith Defense: Following department policy, the penal code, and the code of criminal procedure enhances an officer’s good faith defense.

Special Investigators

• Special Investigator Categories Special Agents of the Secret Service, Marshals of the U.S. Marshal Service, and Special Agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.

Case Law Relevant to Officer Interactions

• Case Law Examples (Use of Force): Cases such as Garrity v. New Jersey, Terry v. Ohio, and Graham v. State are relevant legal precedent involving officer interactions (and excessive force).

Peace Officer Definitions

• Peace Officer Exclusion: Security officers of the Texas Board of Private Security are not peace officers in a legal sense.

Warrantless Entry for Arrest

• Residence Entry for Arrest: Warrantless entry into a residence for an arrest requires either consent, or exigent circumstances.

Officer Non-Execution of Legal Documents

• Civil Process Penalties: Officers who ignore court papers can be fined for neglecting legal duty (e.g., summons).

Illegal Sexual Conduct

• Sexual Misconduct Classification: Touching a person’s anus with one’s mouth is considered deviant sexual intercourse.

Aggravated Robbery Upgrade

• Aggravation Factors: Robbery can be escalated to aggravated robbery based on aggravating factors like threats, bodily injury, or having a weapon.

Intensity Continuum

• Intensity Continuum: The text describes and defines the Intensity Continuum, but the specifics were not presented. "Intensity continuum" is a concept related to appropriate force use.