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94 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
What does FCIC and NCIC stand for?
a system called the Florida Crime Information Center
(FCIC) provides this and other information. FCIC is connected to the National
Crime Information Center (NCIC).
What information is available through FCIC?
Information contained in the
FCIC database includes but is not limited to the following: statewide information on
persons and property, driver’s license and registration information, wanted and missing
persons, stolen guns, vehicles, and other property, and persons’ status files and
computerized criminal history.
Where are FCIC and NCIC located?
FCIC is housed at the
Florida Department of Law enforcement (FDLe) in tallahassee, Florida. NCIC is a
system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Clarksburg, West
Virginia.
What is the relationship between FCIC and NCIC?
e NCIC system contains stolen, abandoned, and recovered
property and wanted and missing person files for all 50 states, Canada, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, the Commonwealth of puerto rico, and the District of Columbia.e NCIC
system makes Florida data available to all criminal justice agencies.
What are the major assets of the FCIC?
ese systems enable officers to gather criminal history or stolen property information
so they can appropriately deal with many incidents.
What national communication link is available through FCIC?
a major FCIC feature is that it connects to the National Law enforcement
telecommunication System (NLetS), an international justice and public safety
information sharing network. a high-speed, nationwide message
switching communications network, NLetS allows for interstate and interagency
information exchange. NLetS has the capability to receive, store, and forward message
traffic to and from its user agencies.
What factors will ensure officers' efficient and effective use of the FCIC system?
System users must attend the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
certification class and pass the certification exam. System users must also submit a state
and national fingerprinted-based background check within 30 days of employment or terminal assignment. all FCIC/NCIC
transactions are logged and can be electronically retrieved upon request.
What legal issues arise from the dissemination of confidential information for non-law enforcement purposes?
Misuse of the FCIC/NCIC system can result in both disciplinary and legal action
including termination against the officers involved. In addition, the agency involved
could lose its certification as an FCIC terminal site.
What information does an officer need to provide when requesting a check?
Certain information is required to request a records check through FCIC/NCIC.is
varies depending on the type of information an officer wants to receive from the system.
When requesting information on a wanted or missing person, officers should provide
all identification data available, such as name, race, sex, date of birth, physical features,
approximate height and weight, etc. For vehicle or vessel identification information, an
officer should provide the vessel name, manufacturer, license, tag/decal number, year of
make, etc. For stolen property requests, the name, manufacturer, description of property,
shape, etc., should be provided.
Define hit.
an exact match, called a hit,
must be confirmed before an officer arrests a wanted person or recovers a missing person
or stolen property.
What are the uses of the Mobile Data Terminal?
aMobile Data Terminal (MDT) is the laptop computer installed in a patrol vehicle.
e terminal is used by the officer to access information regarding criminal records,
driving history, and agency records as well as to write and submit electronic/paperless
reports to the supervisor. e terminal also allows the officer to view other calls for
service that other patrol units are working on. Non-emergency calls for service are
dispatched over the terminal to keep the radio channels open for critical events and
crimes in progress.
What would be considered the proper use of a portable radio unit?
roughout their shifts, officers use radios to send and receive vital information, call for
backup, or identify a suspect or wanted person.
Where is the radio equipment generally located in a standard police vehicle?
First, the
911 dispatcher (also known as a public safety telecommunicator) uses the base station
or the main unit to communicate with all officers. Second, officers use the patrol car
radio, which is a small unit mounted in the patrol vehicle. ird, officers carry the
portable radio on their belts or shoulders.e patrol car radio is usually under or affixed
to the dashboard of the patrol car. In some patrol cars, radios are mounted on the vehicle
transmission hump or in a metal rack designed for holding electronic equipment. In
unmarked or undercover vehicles, the radio may be mounted under the seat or in the
trunk. On police motorcycles, the radio is usually mounted in plain sight behind the
handlebars.
What are the duties of the public safety telecommunicator or communications officer?
eir duties include, but are not limited to answering, receiving,
transferring, and dispatching functions related to 911 calls; dispatching law
enforcement officers, fire rescue services, emergency medical services, and other public
safety services to the scene of an emergency; providing real-time information from
federal, state, and local crime databases; or supervising or serving as the command
officer to a person or persons having such duties and responsibilities.ey also access
the FCIC/NCIC systems to provide vital information to officers who request it.
What are the primary components of a portable police radio?
e basic police radio is generally fitted with at least three switches, levers, or
buttons to control volume, squelch, and channel selection.
What steps should an officer take prior to voice transmissions?
Before voice transmissions,
officers should listen to make sure there is no other radio traffic and then depress and
hold the transmit button for approximately one second before speaking.
What speech habits may affect clear communication when using a police radio?
Officers should also be aware that speech habits such as a trailing voice
(diminishes in volume), the rate of speech (too fast or too slow), or speaking in
monotone or a soft or unclear (mumbling) voice may affect clear communications.
What would be considered the appropriate use of a radio system?
appropriate radio
system use includes the following:
• law enforcement-related messages to other agencies within the state or
another state
• driver’s license status and driver history
• criminal records checks
• hazardous material queries
• aircraft, boat, and vehicle registration queries
• road condition and weather queries
How much privacy should an officer expect when using a police radio?
an officer should expect no privacy in law enforcement radio transmissions. e only exceptions include special investigations units, such as Organized Crime Units,
which use scrambled or encrypted channels that cannot be monitored.
What are oral brevity codes?
ere are three basic
codes: alpha code is a system of words that represents letters in the english alphabet
(e.g., Q codes). In numeric code, a system of numbers represents specific activities or
conditions to which an officer might respond; the 10 codes and signals are a numeric
system. Alphanumeric code, a combination of letters and numbers, might include
officer call signs or auto tags.
What is the phonetic alphabet?
The phonetic alphabet is a system of code words for identifying letters in voice
communication.
What does proper preparation of radio messages entail?
Like any effective communication, a properly constructed radio message involves
thinking in advance about what needs to be said. It also involves delivering accurate
information in a clear, concise manner.
How should the message being delivered via police radio be organized?
Messages should follow this basic
pattern: identification number, current location, reason for call, and information relative
and essential to the situation.
How should officers write out a BOLO?
Officers should write out full descriptions of
the person, property, or vehicle in question for BOLO (Be On the Look Out) reports
before broadcasting them on the radio.
What information needs to be transmitted to dispatch if an officer encounters an emergency during patrol?
• officer’s identification number and location
• type of emergency (vehicle crash, fire, battery, etc.)
• other assistance needed (backup, ambulance, tow truck, etc.)
• description of suspect, if applicable
• description of suspect’s vehicle, if applicable.
What information needs to be transmitted to dispatch if an offier is conducting a traffic stop?
• officer’s identification number
• officer’s location and direction of travel
• tag number of vehicle for which information is being requested
• state that issued the tag and the year of issue, if possible
• vehicle color
• vehicle make, model, and year (If unknown, descriptions like “newer model” and
“late ’90s” are acceptable.)
• number of vehicle occupants
• need for backup or other assistance as appropriate.
What information needs to be transmitted when transmitting information about a person?
• officer’s identification number or call sign
• location
• full description of the person including race, gender, age, height, and weight,
clothing, hair color and length, and identifying characteristics such as scars, visible
marks, or tattoos
• reason for the stop
• need for backup or other assistance as appropriate.
When an officer recieves a call from dispatch what information must that officer respond with?
When an officer receives a call from dispatch, the officer must respond with his or her
identification number and location and write down the information provided by the
dispatcher, including the complainant’s name and address. e officer must advise dispatch upon his or her arrival at the
call and note whether backup or any additional support or equipment is needed.
How should an officer go about checking in and out of service?
When checking into service, the
officer should provide his or her identification number (e.g., two Charlie 104), the
message in service (or 10-8), and the vehicle the officer drives (e.g., 9362). When
checking out at the end of a shift, an officer should provide similar information and the
message out of service (or 10-7).
Define radio protocol.
Radio protocol describes the procedures of properly constructing and transmitting
messages. It also includes proper use of appropriate codes and signals, which varies
among agencies and regions.
What is the purpose of interpersonal communication?
e purpose of interpersonal communication is to facilitate a primary function
of interacting with others or to cause some kind of action.
What terms describe the communication process?
terms that describe the communication process include sender or source, message,
receiver, and feedback.
What elements are essential to effective interpersonal communication?
First, the effective communicator
recognizes his or her audience and modifies communication to fit the receiver. he or she keeps sentences brief and to the point. e officer who communicates effectively also speaks in an appropriate tone
of voice. an officer does not gain public support by expressing irritation or frustration.
Consequently, the officer should maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
What are some common forms of nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication includes messages sent by posture, muscle tension, facial
expression, and even how long it takes a person to respond to a question.
What barriers could hinder the communication process?
Barriers include personal prejudices, stereotyping, and racial or ethnic slurs.
Language differences, profane or derogatory language, and disrespectful or derogatory
hand or body gestures can also serve as communication barriers. Distractions hinder
good communication as well.
Define command presence.
Command presence means the bearing of one who commands or influences others.
a combination of training and self-confidence, command presence is an officer’s most
valuable nonverbal tool, and developing it is crucial for every officer.
Define communication.
Communication involves the exchange of thoughts or messages, verbally and
nonverbally, through signals or writing.
Define community.
Community refers to the people and locations comprising the neighborhoods,
institutions, and workplace where an officer lives or works.
Define self talk.
Self-talk is a continual internal monologue in which an individual narrates the
events going on around him or her.
What are some techniques for self control?
When an officer finds
him- or herself in a stressful situation, he or she should breathe smoothly, deeply, and
evenly. he or she should balance his or her posture and acknowledge reality, saying to
him- or herself, “This is real and I can handle it.”
Define self-knowledge.
Self-knowledge is an awareness of one’s inner nature, feelings, abilities, and limitations.
What are some emotional triggers that may influence an officer's behavior?
everyone has emotional triggers that stem from personal sensitivities and
the traditions they value.ese include maintaining a good name, self-respect, pride in
heritage, and other personal beliefs.
Define stereotyping.
Stereotyping is a fixed and unvarying idea or opinion of a person, group, or subject.
Define bias/prejudice.
Bias or prejudice is a strong negative belief or feeling about a person, group, or subject
that is formed without reviewing all available facts or information.
Define perception.
Perception is the impression in a person’s mind of an individual, a group of people, or
events based on experiences, biases, beliefs, assumptions, and observations.
Define assumption.
an assumption is a notion, statement, or belief about a person, group, or event that
may or may not be factual.
What are the proper steps to prepare for an interview?
e pre-interview process includes determining
when and whom to interview, the order of interviews, where to interview, what
information to obtain, and how to record the interviews.
What are the primary responsibilities of the interviewer?
an interviewer
should obtain all pertinent information relating to the incident, compare it with other
case information, and follow agency interview policy and procedures.
When should an interview be conducted?
Interviews should be conducted immediately or shortly after a crime in order to yield
the most accurate and helpful information. however, if an officer does not have an
opportunity to speak with a witness at the scene, the officer should schedule a postscene
interview with the person.
How do you determine who should be interviewed?
Officers can decide which people at a scene should be interviewed by asking some
general questions and seeking information from anyone who knows something about
the crime.
What are the primary factors that influence the success of an interview?
Factors that influence the success of an interview include isolation and privacy. e
interviewer is responsible for creating a confidential atmosphere that will encourage
honesty and forthrightness from the interviewee. Isolating the interviewee prevents
outside influences; privacy helps build rapport and gain trust. a good physical and
emotional comfort level is another factor that can influence the success of an interview.
The interviewee’s comfort will encourage cooperation.
How do you determine where an interview should be conducted?
Interviews may be
conducted at the scene of the incident or in the officer’s patrol vehicle. If available, the
officer may choose to interview subjects at a location that has recording equipment
available.Whatever location is chosen, it should be safe, out of the weather, and isolated
as much as possible from the sight and hearing of other interviewees.
Define informant.
An informant is one who provides information confidentially
and whose identity is normally not disclosed until required by law.
Define complainant.
A complainant is one
who reports the crime.
What are some techniques that encourage a person to explain fully an action or activity?
effective interviewing techniques encourage an interviewee to explain a situation
completely in his or her own words but do not influence the interviewee’s responses. e officer must take care to conceal personal feelings of
animosity toward the interviewee based on prejudice, bias, or lifestyle choices. Next,
the officer should explain what is going to be discussed during the interview and describe
how the information will be collected and used and why it is important to collect it. e officer will ask a variety of open-ended questions designed to elicit as much
information as possible.
What are some effective interviewing techniques to enhance recall ability of the witness?
recall is enhanced by recreating the event stimuli, which can be both physical and
psychological. e interviewee should be asked to think back to the original event,
recalling the physical surroundings (time of day, workspace, and so on) as well as the
emotional situation (rushed, bored, and so on).
How can an officer evaluate the effectiveness of an interview?
ere are a number of things an officer can do to evaluate the effectiveness of his or her
interviewing skills. For instance, the officer can compare the results of an interview with
the case paperwork and other completed interviews.
Define mirroring.
Mirroring is a technique in which the interviewer acts as if he or she is looking in a
mirror and seeing him- or herself as the interviewee.us, the interviewer should assume
the interviewee’s posture and repeat what the person is saying, using a questioning tone
to obtain clarification or a more detailed response.
Define minimal encouragers.
Minimal encouragers are brief statements which indicate that the officer hears what
the person is saying and is inclined to hear more. examples include “Okay,” and “Go
on,” and “en what?” If the who, what, when,
where, why, and how of the incident can be answered, then most likely, the desired
results were achieved.
How should an officer document the interview?
ere are three major methods for documenting an interview: taking notes, audio or
video recording, and obtaining written statements.
What procedures should be following for taking notes?
Taking notes during an interview is a necessity that must be done with great care.
Usually, it is best to begin taking notes early in the interview.is is begun by writing
names, addresses, date of birth, and other basic facts. is gets interviewees used to
answering an officer’s questions and seeing the officer write what they say.
When should a statement be obtained?
When to take a written statement often depends on circumstances or agency policy.
What would be considered an appropriate location, materials, interpreters, and equipment for taking a statement?
agency policies or the local State attorney’s Office should be consulted
for the preferred procedure on locations, materials, equipment, and interpreters needed
for the statement.
What is the basic procedure that should be followed when taking statements?
agency policies or the local State attorney’s Office should be consulted
for the preferred procedure on locations, materials, equipment, and interpreters needed
for the statement.
When can an officer notarize a statement according to Florida law?
Florida law, as per F.S. §117.10, provides law enforcement officers with the authority to
administer oaths while performing their official duties. however, this does not certify
an officer as a notary unless he or she has completed the normal appointment process.
When is it necessary to administer an oath?
Officers should always administer an oath or affirmation for any sworn
statement or affidavit when they want to commit the witness to his or her testimony.
Sworn statements or affidavits are not admissible in court if the witness is also in court.
What information is needed within a statement?
When writing a statement, an individual should describe, to the
best of his or her recollection, every event, person, weapon, vehicle, and all property
involved in the incident.
What type of assistance can an officer provide in obtaining a written statement from a witness?
e officer should administer the oath and ask questions or have the person relate the
information in his or her own words while the officer writes down the statement.is
is necessary if the witness does not read or write. e officer then should read the
statement back to the witness, make any needed corrections, and ask the witness to date
and sign the statement or make his or her mark. any observing officers
should date and sign the statement as well. at the beginning and the end
of the written statement, the officer should note “Dictated by ____ and written
by Officer ____.”
What should an officer do if a person is unable to sign the statement?
In some situations, a witness may be injured, sick, or incapacitated and cannot sign his
or her name.e officer should write the reason the person cannot sign the statement
and then sign it him- or herself. If possible, any witnesses should be asked
to sign the statement as well. If a person refuses to give a statement, it should be
indicated as such in the officer’s notes. If the person gives a statement but refuses to sign
it, the officer should note, “refused to sign”.
Define oath.
an oath is a promise to tell the truth regarding an incident or occurrence.
Define affirmation.
an
affirmation is a solemn and formal declaration or assertion made in place of an oath.
Define statement.
a statement is a permanent, verbal, or written record of a person’s account of an
incident or occurrence that may or may not be made under oath.
Define report.
a report is a written document prepared by a law enforcement officer that gives
information about an event, situation, or person encountered by the officer.
What is the purpose of a report?
Writing reports is a critical job function for all law enforcement officers.
however, many officers find this important task difficult to accomplish. a report
documents the facts involved in an incident.
What are the different categories of operational reports?
Operational reports are generally
linked to three major categories: offense-incident reports, arrest affidavits, and
supplemental or follow-up reports.
Who are the potential readers of a police report?
• other officers
• supervisors
• defense attorneys and prosecutors
• judges
• city, county, or state officials
• reporters
• victims or their families
• suspects, defendants, persons convicted of crimes
• citizens
• insurance companies
What common proceedings may a police report be used?
apart from being public records, reports are typically involved
in many proceedings as an official representation of facts surrounding an incident. Some
examples include the following:
• criminal case-filing
• depositions
• pretrial proceedings
• criminal trials
• victim restitution hearings
• civil proceedings
• appeals in criminal and civil cases
• probation and parole hearings
• internal affairs investigations
• workers’ compensation cases
• research
What are the basic steps of report writing?
e basic steps in report writing are recording the facts, organizing the facts, writing the
report, and evaluating the report.
What is the purpose of note taking?
an officer may need to remember facts
about a particular call and cannot rely on memory alone. he or she must be sure to
immediately record facts as they become available. Note taking is one of the ways to
achieve this. Field notes are normally the primary source documents that an officer will
use when writing operational reports.
What information should be included in field notes?
•Where did the incident take place?
•When did the incident take place?
•Who was involved?
•What happened?
• how did it happen?
•Why did it happen?
What is the best method for taking notes while interviewing?
Writing notes while interviewing a witness may result in an officer not hearing some of
the witness’s statement.e best practice is to listen and then ask the witness to pause while the officer writes down the information. e alternating method will permit
officers to hear and record the most information from witnesses.
How can notes be organized?
Notes can be organized in two ways: chronologically or categorically.e most efficient
way to organize notes is by grouping all information pertaining to or received from each
individual.
What does ordering chronologically mean?
Organizing chronologically means sorting information by date and time from the first
event to the last.
What does ordering categorically mean?
Information may also be grouped categorically such as witnesses, victims, suspects,
weapons used, and crime elements (IN009.2.B.).is type of ordering helps with filling
in information on report forms, most of which groups information by category. If notes
are organized categorically before writing a report, the risk of forgetting a piece of
information is minimized. e practice is especially helpful for incidents that involve
many witnesses or victims.
Define narrative.
a narrative can be defined
as paragraphs containing specific details and pertinent information about an incident
and the elements of the crime. Normally, narratives are written in a
chronological sequence.
What verb tense should be used in law enforcement reports?
Law enforcement reports are about events that have already occurred, so they are
always written in past tense.
Define jargon.
Jargon is the technical vocabulary of a particular profession that has meaning specific
to people who work in that field.
Define slang.
Slang
consists of informal, nonstandard words often characterized by regional or specific group
usage.
What is the difference between content and format?
an effective report will have good content and will be written in the proper format.
Content relates to the material aspects of the case: what happened, who was involved, etc.
Format is the way this information is organized and presented in the report.
What is the preferred structure of a report?
an opening, body, and a closing must all be included so that the narrative tells a
chronological story of what occurred. the opening usually includes the date, place,
assignment and arrival time, the officer’s name, the identity of the victim, suspect, or
complainant, and the officer’s first action. the body of the narrative is the detailed
chronological account of the incident. this section includes the investigative actions
taken by the officer and must address the elements of the crime. the closing explains
how the incident was resolved or how the information obtained was handled,
including any citations issued or arrests made with appropriate criminal charges
documented.
What questions must a report narrative answer?
e content of the narrative should answer four key questions:
1.Why was the officer there?
Was the officer dispatched to a call at the location?
Was the officer flagged down while on patrol?
Was the officer on patrol and saw something occur?
2.What did the officer observe?
What did the officer see, hear, smell, or feel?
What were the crime scene conditions?
What was the officer told by people at the scene?
Who else responded to the scene? 3.What did the officer do?
What investigative steps did the officer take?
What actions did the officer perform (Cpr, response to resistance)?
Whom did the officer interview?
Whom did the officer notify about the situation?
Did the officer collect any evidence?
4.What were the outcomes?
What crimes were committed?
Did the officer arrest anyone?
What related documents were collected or disseminated?
Were any further actions or referrals required?
Define sentence.
a sentence is a group of words that contains a subject (a noun) and a verb (action) and
expresses a complete thought.
Define sentence fragment.
a sentence fragment is a group of words that lacks a subject or verb or fails to express
a complete thought.
Proper punctuation.
Review pg. 149-153.