Pre-Class Test Flashcards
Core Principles
- Legal Authority
- Communication
- Position and Movement
- Threat Management
- Equipment Management
Five Primary Objectives of policing
1) Protect and serve
2) Crime prevention
3) Preserve the peace
4) Enforce all laws
5) Arrest
Patrol Responsibilities
1) Communicate – notify dispatch when you arrive, Answer status checks, ect…
2) Coordinate – where to respond, best direction to approach, need more units?, ect…
3) Command – determine if other resources are needed, Fire department, K9, Swat, ect..
4) Control – safe scene, take control of the situation, ect…
Substantive Law–
- Legislated acts
- Establishes the acts and mental state necessary to commit a crime
- RCW 9A.52.030
Procedural Law—
- Legislated acts
- Establishes the procedures to be employed in governmental affairs
- RCW 10.31.100
Significance of Criminal Procedures:
- Protects the rights of all citizens
- Enhances the ability to successfully prosecute criminals
- Reduces criminal liability to the officer
- Reduces civil liability to the officer
Sources of Criminal Procedure:
- Constitutional Documents (i.e. United States and Washington State)
- Revised Code of Washington (State Laws)
- Washington State Court Rules
- Common Law
Common Law:
A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.
Possible sanctions imposed on a LEO:
- Criminal Liability (Charged with a crime)
- Civil Liability (Sued)
- Departmental Liability (Discipline, Demotion, Termination
Public Duty Doctrine questions:
1) Do we have a duty owed?
2) Do we have a duty breached?
3) Were actual damages suffered?
4) Was the breach the proximate cause for the damages suffered
Probable Cause
reasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing a charge, ect)
—-Important Note: Law enforcement can be its own worst enemy! Think before you act. Think before you speak. Ask yourself if your actions are:
- Reasonable
- Legal (Necessary)
- Ethical
- Within Department policy
The constitution is made up of what three parts
1) The preamble
2) The articles of incorporation
3) The bill of rights
Three Government branches:
1) Legislative – house and senate (makes laws)
2) Executive – president (enforces laws)
3) Judicial – supreme court (interprets law)
The First Amendment
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Right to peaceably assemble
- Right to petition the government to redress grievances
The Second Amendment
- “A well-regulated militia being necessary for the security of a free state, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
The Third Amendment
- “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the
owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
The Fourth Amendment
- Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures of people, their houses, papers, and effects
- Warrants will only be issued upon a showing of Probable Cause
- Probable Cause must be supported by an oath or affirmation
- The warrant must particularly describe:
The Fifth Amendment
- Charges must be filed by indictment
- Establishes a prohibition on double jeopardy
– How was California able to prosecute/sue OJ Simpson twice?
– What process allowed the officers in the Rodney King case to be tried twice
for the same crimes? - Prohibits self-incrimination in criminal cases
– The basis for Miranda’s first prong - No deprivation of life, liberty, or property without your right to appeal
- No taking of private property without just (fair) compensation
The Sixth Amendment
- Right to a speedy trial - 60 / 90-day rule
- Right to an impartial jury
- Right to trial in the proper venue
- Right to be informed of the nature of the accusation
- Right to confront witnesses
- Right to subpoena witnesses on your behalf
- Right to the assistance of counsel