The National Police Association’s free Law Enforcement education series is designed for home school, classroom, or independent learning. As part of our nonprofit educational mission, it prepares you for careers in public safety. This series is authored by Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D.

Published by the National Police Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

The National Police Association is a 501(c)3 Alliance/Advocacy non-profit in the IRS Educational Organizations category. Donations are tax-deductible.

1: PHILOSOPHY OF POLICING

Multiple Choice

1. According to the eBook, what is the foundation of American policing built upon?

A) Equality and justice

B) Soil of freedom and natural rights

C) Economic prosperity

D) Military power

2. How does the eBook suggest maintaining humanity in social interactions?

A) Through social media engagement

B) By avoiding face-to-face conversations

C) By prioritizing in-person conversations

D) Through written letters only

3. What is the role of the Constitution in ensuring law enforcement operates within limits?

A) It restricts law enforcement activities

B) It guarantees the rights of the accused and protects the innocent

C) It empowers law enforcement to act without restrictions

D) It is irrelevant to law enforcement operations

Essay Questions

4. Discuss the importance of citizen responsibilities and civic duties as highlighted in the eBook.​

5. Explain the concept of "Guardian v. Warrior" in the context of law enforcement, as discussed in the eBook.

2: ASSAULT ON OFFICERS

True or False

1. True or False: The survival mantra in police training emphasizes the importance of going home alive after each shift.

2. True or False: Officer Anna Carrizales was shot twice in the chest during an incident in Stafford, Texas.

3. True or False: The author suggests that the warrior mindset in law enforcement should not prevent officers from demanding civil treatment and justice.

Multiple Choice

4. What is the main goal emphasized in police training regarding officer survival?

A) Making arrests

B) Going home alive

C) Writing reports

D) Issuing citations

5. What percentage of officers suffer non-visible injuries for which they seek no treatment?

A) 50%

B) 65%

C) 75%

D) 83%

3: DEALING WITH THE MENTALLY ILL

True or False

1. True or False: Erasing "To Serve and To Protect" from the police mission is recommended for enhancing public safety.

2. True or False: The success of response programs can be accurately measured without considering the involvement of law enforcement.

3. True or False: Responder injury rates in health and social service sectors are significantly lower than in other industries.

4. True or False: Removing police from non-violent calls is likely to decrease the percentage of use of force per contact.

5. True or False: Social workers overwhelmingly believe that their safety concerns are adequately addressed by their employers.

4: SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

True or False

1. True or False: Local law enforcement plays a crucial role in maintaining the physical security of power sources, bridges, roads, and dams across the country.

2. True or False: Illegal activities on national lands, such as drug cultivation, often lead to environmental crimes rather than charges related to the illegal substances themselves.

3. True or False: Officers involved in outdoor policing may need to undergo training in rope techniques, emergency medicine, and navigation.

4. True or False: The San Jose model of Field Training Officer (FTO) training focuses on problem-solving skills rather than a checklist of required skills.

5. True or False: The Reno model of FTO training is more suited for police officers who prefer regimented "right answers" over problem-based learning.

5: TRAINING

True or False

1. True or False: Lt. Col. Dave Grossman advocates for warlike operations among police officers.

2. True or False: Understanding brain function can help officers deal with stress and depression effectively.

3. True or False: Poor teaching methods are not considered a serious impediment to the current state of police education.

4. True or False: The murder rate in America may appear to be leveling due to advancements in emergency medical care.

5. True or False: The war on terror is primarily left to the military in the United States.

6: POLICE ETHICS

True or False

1. True or False: Police officers are the least surveilled profession in public service.

2. True or False: The majority of Americans do not respect or rely on their police.

3. True or False: Compliance is not considered a duty of citizens in a democratic society.

4. True or False: Allegations of police brutality are always supported by factual evidence.

5. True or False: The use of force by law enforcement officers is a common occurrence during custodial arrests.

7: INVESTIGATIONS

True or False

1. True or False: Police officers should be allowed to review their body camera footage before writing their reports.

2. True or False: Inattentional blindness can affect an officer's ability to recall details accurately during a high-stress situation.

3. True or False: Police reports are considered mundane but are of critical importance in law enforcement.

4. True or False: The human brain's capacity to process sensory input can lead to perceptual distortions under stress.

5. True or False: All evidence should be thoroughly examined before an officer writes their report.

8: THE ANTI-POLICE MOVEMENT

True or False

1. True or False: Investigations into the use of force cases are typically resolved quickly to prevent misinformation from spreading.

2. True or False: Trust in the judicial system and law enforcement should be based solely on blind faith and patriotism.

3. True or False: Multiple sources should be consulted to verify the credibility of information, especially in the age of online news.

4. True or False: The majority of cases of police use of force that reach a criminal or civil trial result in convictions against the officers involved.

5. True or False: Journalists and activists play no role in holding the criminal justice system accountable.

9: SCHOOL SAFETY

True or False

1. True or False: Campus police officers are not authorized to make arrests for serious crimes like sexual assault or murder.

2. True or False: The Clery Act requires colleges to report criminal activity and disruptions on and near campus.

3. True or False: The presence of police officers in schools has been promoted by the National Education Association.

4. True or False: School shootings are a common occurrence in educational institutions.

5. True or False: The age to be tried as an adult for violent crimes has been increased in response to school safety concerns.

10: LEADERSHIP

True or False

1. True or False: Police officers are immune from prosecution for actions taken in the line of duty.

2. True or False: The use of body-worn cameras has decreased the level of public scrutiny on police activities.

3. True or False: The number of individuals interested in military service has increased in recent years.

4. True or False: Police recruiting strategies are uniform across all cities in the United States.

5. True or False: The paramilitary structure of police departments is universally accepted as beneficial.

11: DE-ESCALATION MISINFORMATION

True or False

1. True or False: Multiple officers on the scene of an incident always lead to a peaceful resolution.

2. True or False: Compliance from suspects is the primary reliance of police officers in maintaining control.

3. True or False: Fake surrender poses no risk to law enforcement officers.

Multiple Choice

4. In what situations should officers use reliable control holds on arrestees?

A) Only when absolutely necessary

B) In every encounter with an arrestee

C) When verbal commands fail

D) When dealing with compliant suspects

5. What is the main challenge officers face when dealing with suspects experiencing excited delirium?

A) Lack of training

B) Overcoming initial adrenaline spikes

C) Inadequate backup

D) Miscommunication with the suspect

12: FEDERAL INFLUENCE IN POLICING

True or False

1. True or False: The study mentioned in the eBook found a significant difference in law enforcement trust between Democrat and Republican respondents.

2. True or False: The deployment of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in the Phoenix PD resulted in a decrease in officer productivity.

3. True or False: The National Institute of Justice report concluded that BWCs had a significant impact on improving suspect conduct.

4. True or False: The Obama-era Task Force on 21st-Century Policing recommended that law enforcement agencies should track community trust in police.

5. True or False: The eBook author expresses full trust in the report from the Justice Department agency.

13: MISGUIDED POLICE REFORM EFFORTS

True or False

1. True or False: The Colorado legislature recently passed measures under the title "Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity."

2. True or False: One of the proposals in Colorado is to ban police from arresting teenaged students while at school.

3. True or False: Politicians who support law enforcement's needs for protection should be commended for their consistent stance.

Multiple Choice

3. What is the main concern raised in the eBook regarding police reform laws in Colorado?

A) Lack of training for police officers

B) Potential risks to public safety and officer integrity

C) Inadequate funding for law enforcement agencies

D) Overuse of force by law enforcement

4. What is the proposed ban mentioned in the eBook that could keep criminals informed about law enforcement actions?

A) Use of body-worn cameras

B) Encryption of police radios

C) Deployment of armored vehicles

D) Training of police officers

5. How does the eBook describe the transition from ignorance to stupidity in relation to law enforcement?

A) A necessary evolution in police tactics

B) A dangerous trend in public perception

C) A positive shift towards community policing

D) A reflection of improved officer training

14: THE POLICE OFFICER’S PRIVATE LIFE

True or False

1. True or False: Police officers are required to have college degrees for law enforcement.

2. True or False: Social workers are always dispatched to high hazard calls where violence or weapons are present.

3. True or False: The majority of black residents favor reducing police presence in their neighborhoods.

4. True or False: Police agencies have been slow to diversify their ranks in terms of race and gender.

5. True or False: Police officers are immune to the effects of sleep deprivation.

15: MENTAL HEALTH FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

True or False

1. True or False: Keeping mental health struggles secret is the best approach for law enforcement professionals.

2. True or False: Stress and fitness issues are typically given adequate attention in police academy training.

3. True or False: Seeking help for mental health issues can lead to job loss in the law enforcement field.

4. True or False: Substance dependency is likely to resolve on its own without intervention.

5. True or False: The author emphasizes the importance of open communication about emotional challenges in law enforcement..

16: WHAT CITIZENS NEED TO KNOW

Multiple Choice

1. What is one way suggested in the ebook to filter noise from news?

A) Trust all headlines at face value

B) Rely on anonymous sources for information

C) Look for phrases that hedge the truth of a story

D) Avoid reading news articles altogether

2. What important values are often disregarded in media reports about police incidents?

A) Truth, facts, and due process

B) Sensationalism, bias, and hearsay

C) Speed, popularity, and profit

D) Emotions, opinions, and rumors

Essay Questions

3. Discuss the importance of being a critical consumer of media reports on police incidents. Provide examples to support your argument.

4. Explain the potential consequences of relying on misleading or inaccurate information when forming opinions about law enforcement. How can individuals avoid falling into this trap?

5. Reflect on the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of police officers. How can media literacy help individuals navigate news coverage effectively?

17: POLICE AND THE LAW

True or False

1. True or False: Inappropriate use of force by law enforcement officers does not impact the credibility of law enforcement.

2. True or False: Politically motivated prosecutions based on professional investigative efforts are acceptable in maintaining law enforcement careers.

3. True or False: Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys should not be held accountable for unprivileged comments that slander police officers.

4. True or False: Officers are encouraged to accept untrue characterizations of their professionalism without objection.

5. True or False: Fear alone is a valid reason for law enforcement officers to use force in a situation.

18: DEADLY FORCE

True or False

1. True or False: Video footage of a police incident always provides a clear and unbiased understanding of the event.

2. True or False: Police officers are expected to be consciously aware of all 50,000 individual factors that may influence their decisions during critical events.

3. True or False: The Reasonable Man Standard is a flawless method for judging police decisions in all situations.

4. True or False: Media portrayals of police shootings accurately represent the reality of such events.

5. True or False: Police officers involved in shooting incidents always have superhuman powers to make split-second decisions.

19: PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION?

True or False

1. True or False: The pursuit of perfection in policing is achievable due to the predictable nature of the job.

2. True or False: The threat of losing a case or having a case refused by the prosecutor is not a significant incentive for police officers to perform quality work.

3. True or False: Fatal errors involving the mistaken use of weapons by law enforcement officers are common occurrences.

4. True or False: Quick release of information by police leaders during investigations is always advisable.

5. True or False: The news media plays a minor role in shaping public perceptions of law enforcement officers.

20: TOOLS OF THE TRADE

True or False

1. True or False: The evolution of law enforcement equipment has led to officers carrying fewer tools on their duty belts.

2. True or False: After-action analyses of law enforcement responses to civil unrest are primarily focused on placing blame and imposing punishment.

3. True or False: Clear policies and good training are effective in preventing the overuse or misuse of ECW (Electronic Control Weapons) by law enforcement officers.

4. True or False: The public's safety is not a concern when it comes to the use of ECW technology by law enforcement officers.

Multiple Choice

5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a tool carried by law enforcement officers in the eBook?

A) Tear gas

B) Handcuffs

C) Stun gun

D) Flashlight

21: POLICE INTERVENTION & PUBLIC SAFETY

True or False

1. True or False: Explosive devices are always easily identifiable by their appearance.

2. True or False: Local law enforcement officers have no role in preventing violence within their communities.

3. True or False: Dealing with domestic violence calls is not a significant challenge for law enforcement.

4. True or False: Suicide prevention is not a priority for law enforcement officers.

5. True or False: Homegrown extremists are not a concern for law enforcement agencies.

22: ON PATROL

True or False

1. True or False: Police officers often face unexpected and dangerous situations during routine calls.

2. True or False: In one incident mentioned in the eBook, a woman's windshield was pierced by a spear while driving in San Antonio.

3. True or False: In Florida, a man ended up in the hospital after consuming cocktails spiked with Raid roach spray.

4. True or False: A corrections deputy in Hillsborough County was strangled by an inmate using a towel around her neck.

5. True or False: In California, two El Monte police officers responded to a possible stabbing and were met with gunfire upon arrival.

23: LAW AND ORDER

True or False

1. True or False: According to classical criminology, individuals make decisions based on avoiding pain and seeking pleasure.

2. True or False: The broken windows theory suggests that addressing minor quality of life offenses can help prevent more serious crimes.

3. True or False: Decriminalizing some crimes is always a good idea for society.

4. True or False: The balance between compassion and consequences in the criminal justice system is a topic that requires thoughtful discussion.

5. True or False: The criminal justice system can be considered "broken" when there are reductions in policing funding and enforcement actions.

24: THE POLICE CRITIC

True or False

1. True or False: The use of thermal imaging by law enforcement can sometimes be considered an invasion of privacy.

2. True or False: Compliance with police orders and submitting to arrest can help prevent escalation and violence.

Multiple Choice

3. What percentage of officer-involved shootings occur in less than daylight conditions?

A) 50%

B) 70%

C) 90%

D) 100%

4. How does the course suggest responding to habitual police critics?

A) Attack the accuser

B) Ignore the criticism

C) Engage in a debate

D) Apologize for any perceived wrongdoing

Short Answer

5. What is the significance of public opinion and activism in shaping legislation and policy related to law enforcement?

25: DANGERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

True or False

1. True or False: Maintaining distance during a contact increases an officer's ability to keep control of their equipment.

2. True or False: Resisting suspects who gain control of an ECW put officers at great risk, potentially leading to deadly confrontations.

3. True or False: Officers face threats from a variety of objects, including baseball bats, concrete blocks, and garden tools.

4. True or False: Non-compliance with law enforcement officers can escalate tension in a contact.

5. True or False: Officers always look for opportunities to use lethal force in encounters with suspects.

26: URBAN POLICING & POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

True or False

1. True or False: The knee jerk reaction is always beneficial in law enforcement situations.

2. True or False: Portland's citizens are unanimously supportive of the Portland Police Bureau.

3. True or False: Punitive discipline is a common reason cited by exiting police officers for leaving their departments.

4. True or False: The toxic relationship between woke politicians and criminals is beneficial for law enforcement efforts.

5. True or False: All police officers who leave their departments do so because of a lack of support from the administration.

27: RHETORIC AND FACTS ABOUT CRIME

True or False

1. True or False: The PDF discusses the importance of quality police work in building trust and confidence in law enforcement.

2. True or False: The student of history in the PDF will read about the heroes of the middle of the decade and their positive impact on society.

3. True or False: The PDF highlights the significant decrease in officer-involved shootings over the years.

4. True or False: The student of history in the PDF will learn about the positive outcomes of the riots in black neighborhoods.

5. True or False: The PDF emphasizes the role of police in addressing the legacy of poverty in black neighborhoods.

28: IS THERE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE?

True or False

1. True or False: The people are not considered as part of the police force according to Sir Robert Peele's principles.

2. True or False: Police recruiting strategies across the country have been highly successful in recent years.

Multiple Choice

3. What is one of the challenges faced by today's police officers?

A) Lack of training

B) Decreased interest in military service

C) High levels of substance use

D) Strong support from the community

4. What is one of the strategies used in Philadelphia to address police recruiting?

A) Hiring only young graduates

B) Including middle-aged recruits

C) Focusing on military veterans

D) Ignoring physical fitness requirements

Essay Question

5. Reflect on the statement, "The people are the police and the police are the people," in the context of maintaining a civil society.

29: THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

True or False

1. True or False: Law enforcement leadership does not require building credibility with the public in contemporary policing.

2. True or False: The struggles of police officers and athletes are comparable in nature.

3. True or False: The criminal opponent in law enforcement encounters has fewer constraints compared to police officers.

4. True or False: There is a need for more public support and respect for law enforcement officers.

Multiple Choice

5. What is mentioned as an essential element in effective contemporary policing?

A) Building trust with criminals

B) Fighting crime without public support

C) Building credibility with the public

D) Ignoring community feedback

About The Author

This series is authored by Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D. Joel is a retired police chief. He is an award-winning writer, college professor, trainer, and first responder chaplain.