Situational Judgement

A member of the public approaches you claiming their neighbour is abusing them. They're visibly distressed. What should you do first?

• AAdvise them to contact their solicitor
• BRecord their account and explain the process for reporting domestic abuse✓
• CArrest the neighbour immediately
• DTell them it's a civil matter

Answer: As a police officer, you must take domestic abuse seriously, record their account carefully, and explain the reporting and support process. This demonstrates duty of care and professional standards.

During a public order incident, a colleague uses language you consider offensive to a detained person. What's your professional responsibility?

• AStay silent to avoid conflict with your colleague
• BAddress it immediately and report if necessary✓
• CReport it to the inspector without speaking to the colleague first
• DOnly report it if another officer complains

Answer: You must maintain professional standards and dignity. Address it appropriately through proper channels, which may include speaking to the colleague first or reporting through chain of command if behaviour is serious.

You discover a witness to a crime is underage and vulnerable. What's your primary consideration?

• AGet their statement as quickly as possible
• BTheir wellbeing, obtaining appropriate adult presence, and specialized interview techniques✓
• CEnsure their parents are blamed for poor supervision
• DProceed with standard interviewing procedures

Answer: Vulnerable people, especially children, require safeguarding considerations, appropriate adults, and child-friendly interview methods. Duty of care is paramount.

You're patrolling an area with high community tensions. A young person from a minority background appears suspicious but hasn't committed any offence. What's appropriate?

• AStop and search them based on appearance
• BEngage positively, explain why you're in the area, build community trust✓
• CAvoid the area to prevent conflict
• DRequest backup to intimidate them

Answer: Community engagement and relationship-building reduce tensions. You should interact professionally and respectfully. Stop and search requires reasonable suspicion, not appearance alone.

A victim of crime declines to pursue prosecution due to fear. What's your response?

• AClose the case immediately
• BExplain options, provide support services, document their wishes, consider ongoing risk✓
• CPressure them to testify for the public good
• DTell them there's nothing the police can do

Answer: Respect victim autonomy while providing safeguarding support. Explain options (non-molestation orders, witness protection, etc.), document their decisions, and manage risk independently if needed.

You witness a minor traffic offence by a senior officer. What's the correct approach?

• AIgnore it out of respect for rank
• BPublicly challenge them
• CReport through appropriate professional standards channels✓
• DTell the media

Answer: Professional standards apply to all ranks equally. Report through proper channels (Professional Standards Department or chain of command) rather than ignoring or publicly confronting.

A person with mental health crisis is in crisis. They're not committing a crime. Should you arrest them?

• AYes, to get them help
• BOnly as last resort; prioritise mental health support and de-escalation✓
• CNo, never involve police
• DTransfer them to hospital by force

Answer: Use discretion appropriately. De-escalation, mental health crisis teams, and support services are preferable to arrest unless immediate public risk exists.

You're responding to a potential hate crime. A victim belongs to a protected characteristic and reports bias motivation. What's essential?

• ADismiss it as misunderstanding
• BRecord the hate crime element accurately, treat seriously, arrange specialist support✓
• CMinimise the seriousness to reduce statistics
• DOnly record if you personally agree it was motivated by hate

Answer: Hate crimes must be recorded based on victim perception of motivation and evidence. They warrant investigation, support services, and appropriate aggravation in charging decisions.

A colleague admits to fitting you up in an investigation. What must you do?

• AKeep it confidential to protect the team
• BReport through Professional Standards immediately✓
• CConfront them privately first
• DConsider quitting to avoid trouble

Answer: Misconduct, especially evidence tampering, must be reported to Professional Standards. This protects the integrity of investigations and public trust. Confidentiality agreements don't cover criminal conduct.

You're investigating a complaint against yourself. What's appropriate?

• ADeny everything
• BCooperate fully, inform your union rep, provide clear account✓
• COnly speak to your inspector, not Professional Standards
• DRequest the case be closed

Answer: Cooperate fully with investigations into yourself. Inform your union representative, provide honest account, and allow due process. Refusing to cooperate looks worse.

A vulnerable adult reports being isolated by family members who control their finances. What's your role?

• AIt's a family matter; don't interfere
• BIdentify safeguarding concerns, refer to adult social care, gather evidence of financial abuse✓
• COnly act if they have capacity to sign a statement
• DAdvise them to get a lawyer and leave

Answer: Financial and emotional abuse of vulnerable adults is a safeguarding matter. Report to adult social care and investigate potential crimes. Assume vulnerability; they may be intimidated into denying abuse.

You stop a vehicle and discover the driver is a friend. They're over the drink-drive limit. What should you do?

• ALet them off as a favour
• BReport them exactly as you would anyone else✓
• CSuggest they call a taxi
• DContact your sergeant to ask if you can release them

Answer: Impartiality is fundamental. You must treat them the same as any other driver. Personal relationships cannot influence enforcement. This protects public safety and police integrity.