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About This Quiz
Everybody's an expert on police work these days -- aren't we? After all, police officers are favorite main characters on TV and in the movies, whether it's the average uniformed officer on a beat or maverick detective in plainclothes. And TV and movie depictions have gotten far more sophisticated since the days of "Dragnet" and "Hawaii 5-0." Nowadays, law-enforcement dramas include depictions of forensic science and courtroom procedure and show deal with issues including racial justice and burnout.ÂÂ
But does all this mean that you know all about the average police officer in the US, and what a typical day on the job is like? For example, do you know what type of gun is most favored by police departments? Or what kind of car most officers drive on the job -- or motorcycles if they're in a motorcycle division? Do you know if police officers are allowed -- or required -- to mediate in domestic disputes? Law enforcement is a complex and demanding job, and there's a lot we just don't see on TV.ÂÂ
So if you want to test your knowledge of this challenging job -- and maybe see how you'd do if you had to spend a day wearing a badge -- try our 35-question quiz. We promise if you don't do well on it, you'll still be free to go!
What is the job of the police?
Protect and serve
Police are there to serve and protect the public. In a democracy, the state serves the people, and the police serve the state, thus the people. That's Constitutional, baby!
Support and defend
Help and guide
See and search
What gun brand do most American police use?
Smith and Wesson
Beretta
Ruger
Glock
The Glock 22 is the most popular handgun used by law enforcement. It's reliable and it packs a mighty punch!
What is "Miranda"?
It's the rights you get when you are arrested
The Miranda rights are read to all arrested people to ensure they know about their rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. They come from a Supreme Court case, Miranda v Arizona.
Um, Miranda is a who, not a what. Jeez.
Miranda is the name of a girl who was murdered and a law is named for her
Miranda is a set of rules about how much police are allowed to beat people in arresting them
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What does "taking the fifth" mean?
Refusing to flip on a buddy
Refusing to plead either way
Confessing for a lesser sentence
Refusing to self-incriminate
The Fifth Amendment prohibits the cops from forcing a person to self-incriminate. Confessing for a lesser sentence means waiving this right.
What is a code three?
It's a murder
It means use the lights and siren
A code three is when a police car is told to use the lights and the siren.
It's a gun battle
It's a fire
What is "chain of custody"?
It's an accounting of who was in charge of evidence
Chain of custody is important to prove that evidence could not have been tampered with between the crime scene and the lab or courtroom.
It's an accounting of who was in charge of a suspect
It's a type of handcuff that is more humane
It's the paperwork from the custody office
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What does it mean to "book" someone?
Arrest them
Charge them
Register their arrest at the police station
Booking someone is what happens when they arrive at the station after being arrested and are put into a cell. The paperwork involved is "booking".
Record the crime they were a victim of
Why were Ford Crown Victoria cars prized by the police?
Frame on body construction
This construction means the car can be smashed to heck and still work.
It could carry a lot of weight without riding low
Great mileage
Great acceleration
What car is currently the favored police cruiser?
Mini
Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Dodge Charger
The police use several kinds of cars, but they like the Dodge best.
Dodge Ram Pickup
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What motorcycle is historically the ride of highway patrol officers?
Harley-Davidson CopPro
Garelli Crown Master
Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide
The police drive the Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide out on the highway.
KTM Sport with adaptations
Were speed gun detectors ever illegal?
No
Yes
Only for private vehicles
Only for commercial vehicles
Police got in trouble for confiscating these speed trap detectors from people, and now only do it with commercial vehicles.
In what state is speeding a felony?
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Oregon
Virginia
If you're stopped over 80 mph in VA, you can get hit with an "RD" which is a felony, not a regular ticket; it's a very serious thing.
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What is the difference between felony and misdemeanor?
Felony means jail
Felony is federal
A misdemeanor usually won't stop you getting certain jobs, it can expire, and you don't have to confess it on all sorts of forms. Being a felon means losing your vote, among other disasters.
Felony is a huge fine
There is no difference
What constitutes "police brutality"?
Unnecessary force by officers
Police brutality is when the police use any violence more than is absolutely necessary to arrest a suspect and carry out their job.
Killing people
Beating confessions out of people
Using a taser more than once
Are the police expected to help deal with family altercations?
Yes, if they are called
The police can be called to what they call "a domestic". They often find these situations deeply upsetting, as the victim is often unwilling to press charges as they love their abuser or are financially dependent on them. Sometimes the police press charges anyway.
Yes, if someone is bleeding
Yes, if a neighbor is involved
No
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Can the police interrogate therapists about things told to them by their patients?
No
Yes
The police can get your records in certain cases, and if you plan to commit a crime - for example, you tell your therapist you plan to shoot your ex - then they are able to report that.
Only with consent
Only with a warrant
Can the police question a suspect's lawyer about the alleged actions of their client?
Yes
Only if the lawyer is dodgy
Nope
The sanctity of confidentiality is very close to absolute. Obviously, though, your lawyer cannot help you move the body and then claim that's covered.
Only if the lawyer hasn't been paid yet
Can the police question clergy about things said in a confession to them?
Yes
The priest faces automatic excommunication, so they will definitely never talk without the penitent's permission. However, the police can arrest them for that.
Only if the priest thinks the sinner wasn't sorry
No
Only if God sends a sign
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Can the police impersonate the clergy?
Yes
No
The police can't do that, no - not to get a confession, anyway. That would not be admissible.
Only if it is Halloween
Only with permission from the clergy
Can the police impersonate a lawyer?
Yes
Only if they have a law degree
Only if they don't find anything important out that way
No
The police can't pretend to be a defense lawyer to get you to tell them stuff. That is not admissible.
What is entrapment?
Tricking someone into confessing
Tricking someone into committing a crime
The police can't tell you to enter a building then arrest you for trespassing in it. That's entrapment, which is not allowed. Any crime they trick you into like that, is not admissible.
Tricking someone into flipping on their buddy
It's when you photograph someone mid-crime and then blackmail them
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What is internal affairs?
It's the department that stops police officers from dating each other
It's the department that investigates possible law-breaking and professional misconduct
Internal affairs looks into accusations of police brutality, fraud, crime, etc, to make sure the thin blue line stays honest.
It's the police version of HR
It's how police are assigned to crimes
Who founded the FBI?
Simon Frederic Sanders
John Michael Matthews
Charles Joseph Bonaparte
The three founders of the FBI got together over 100 years ago to set it up.
Napoleon Pierre DuPont
How big is the FBI?
10,000
50,000
35,000
The FBI has 35,000 people. They handle federal crimes and certain crimes that go across state lines.
25,000
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What is the current sidearm of the NYPD?
Glock 22
Glock 10
Glock 98
Glock 17
Some older officers were very mad about the rookies getting better guns!
What was the standard sidearm of the NYPD before the current one?
Sig Sauer P226
The Sig Sauer was one of two guns available, the other one was the Glock 19.
Ruger X Force
Smith & Wesson ProShot
Glock 3
How are most British police armed?
Shotgun
Taser and pepper spray
British police do not carry guns. British gun culture is very restrained and limited to people who keep their guns locked up and pay for a license.
Bow and arrow
Handgun
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What is the worst time to get booked in New York City?
Wednesday
Friday
If you get booked on a Friday, you may not get in front of a judge until Monday - or Tuesday, if it is a holiday weekend. That means spending up to four nights in custody!
Sunday
Monday
When was the FBI founded?
1927
1908
The FBI was founded while Teddy Roosevelt was in office, in 1908.
1901
1916
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How big is the NYPD?
45,000
100,000
20,000
37,000
The NYPD is the biggest police force in the US, including the FBI; New York is a complicated place.
How many police lost their lives on the job in 2016?
64
In 2016, 64 officers lost their lives in the line of duty, according to CNN.
121
38
429
What is the RICO Act?
Real Investigations of Corrupt Outfits
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
The RICO Act helps the Feds take out whole criminal networks. If one person in your organization committed murder, everyone can be nailed for it. That's a powerful incentive to flip on your worse buddies.
Racketeering & International Collusion Offenses
Registered Internal Criminal Organization
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Are the New York police expected to put out fires?
Only if it is a small fire
Yes
No
While cops are certainly brave enough, they are not equipped, and the rules have been changed to suggest that they should focus on civilians instead of on the fire itself.
Only if the fire department can't get there
You Got:
/35
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