Legal Foundations
This amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
Before approaching a vehicle during a traffic stop, an officer should first do this.
What is observe the occupants and surroundings?
This alphabet is used over the radio to clearly spell names and license plates.
What is the phonetic alphabet?
These devices are used to safely restrain a subject’s wrists.
What are handcuffs?
Treat every firearm as if it is this.
What is loaded?
Before questioning a suspect in custody, an officer must advise them of these rights.
What are Miranda rights?
During every citizen contact, this should remain the officer’s top priority.
What is officer safety?
When another officer is transmitting emergency information, all other radio traffic should become this.
What is silent (or radio silence)?
This term describes an officer maintaining control of their firearm during a physical confrontation.
What is weapon retention?
This offers ballistic protection from gunfire.
What is cover?
This legal standard allows an officer to briefly detain someone to investigate possible criminal activity.
What is reasonable suspicion?
This document is commonly issued to alert officers to locate a wanted person or vehicle.
What is a BOLO (Be On the Lookout)?
This acronym stands for “Be On the Lookout.”
What is BOLO?
These techniques are intended to gain compliance while minimizing injury.
What are pressure point control techniques?
Unlike cover, this may hide an officer but does not reliably stop bullets.
What is concealment?
This higher legal standard is required before making an arrest or obtaining a search warrant.
What is probable cause?
This type of call generally requires officers to determine who is the primary aggressor.
What is a domestic violence call?
Officers should avoid this type of language on the radio because transmissions are recorded and may be monitored.
What is slang, profanity, or unprofessional language?
An officer should always check these after applying handcuffs.
What are proper fit (double-locking and circulation)?
Keeping your finger off this until you have decided to shoot is one of the fundamental firearm safety rules.
What is the trigger?
A search conducted without a warrant may still be lawful under this exception when evidence is in immediate danger of being destroyed.
What are exigent circumstances?
During a high-risk vehicle stop, officers should position themselves behind this for the greatest protection.
What is cover?
This communication principle requires radio transmissions to be brief, clear, and accurate while avoiding unnecessary traffic.
What is proper radio etiquette (or concise communication)?
The amount of force an officer uses should be based on this factor displayed by the subject.
What is the subject’s level of resistance?
This mindset encourages officers to continually assess threats, surroundings, and potential dangers before they become emergencies.
What is situational awareness?