It Would Be a Crime Not to Know These Facts About Police Officers

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Did you know that for over 15 years, actor David Zayas, who played the role of police officer Detective Angel Batista in the show Dexter, was an actual NYPD officer? What do you know about real police officers? Take this quiz and see if we can stump you!


Ms. Davenport is a freelance graphic designer, an online retailer, and is a part-time writer, home stager and wedding cake designer. She is the mother of four and grandmother of seven. Enjoying classic films and road trips are among her favorite pastimes.

Police Officer Quiz Questions

30 Questions · 10.2K Plays · No comments

Question 1

Which of these will disqualify a person from becoming a police officer?

  • A
    They don’t speak American Sign Language
  • B
    They cannot bench press 125 pounds
  • C
    They have had a felony as an adult
  • D
    They drink more than two beers after 5:00 pm.

Question 2

What are the residency rules for joining a police force in the United States?

  • A
    They can be in the US on a Green Card
  • B
    They must be legal citizens of the United States
  • C
    They can live in a neighboring country as long as it isn’t more than 100 miles to get to the States.
  • D
    They can be visiting from any other country as long as they have lived here for six months

Question 3

What is the oldest statewide law enforcement agency in the United States?

  • A
    The Montana Peace Keepers
  • B
    The Texas Rangers
  • C
    The Arizona Guardians
  • D
    The Washington Sentry

Question 4

Which of the following is not a myth perpetuated by movies and television?

  • A
    Officers regularly break in and do illegal searches
  • B
    Officers “go-rogue” on a regular basis.
  • C
    Officers spend a good share of their day doing paperwork.
  • D
    The favorite food of police officers is donuts.

Question 5

Which sports figure is a reserve police officer?

  • A
    Cody Bryant
  • B
    Shaquille O’Neal
  • C
    LeBron James
  • D
    Sean Miller

Question 6

Which of the following tests do people have to pass to qualify to become a police officer?

  • A
    A rorschach ink blot test and a CPR test
  • B
    A calculus test and a Latin test
  • C
    A psychological test and a polygraph test
  • D
    A geographical test of their area

Question 7

What now famous American Prohibition law enforcement agent brought down Al Capone?

  • A
    Eliot Ness
  • B
    John McClane
  • C
    Lt. William Somerset
  • D
    Alonzo Harris

Question 8

Among other physical tests, candidates are required to pass off which of the following to become an officer?

  • A
    A 1-2 mile run and a stair-climbing test.
  • B
    250 chin-ups.
  • C
    Bench press 180 lbs.
  • D
    Run a triathlon.

Question 9

How often do law enforcement officials fire a weapon in the line of duty?

  • A
    On average, two to three times a week.
  • B
    Outside the pistol range, most police officers never fire a gun.
  • C
    One to three times monthly.
  • D
    It’s a daily occurance.

Question 10

What is the main duty of a Patrol Officer?

  • A
    A special squad assigned to handle a specific problem, ie: drugs, etc.
  • B
    To circle through a particular area repeatedly to prevent problems.
  • C
    To handle situations after a crime occurs.
  • D
    It’s not really a thing – just a name that stuck.

Question 11

Why do police officers wear their badges above their left chest pocket?

  • A
    Because most are right-handed, so it is on the left to be out of the way.
  • B
    It was the only place that was not taken up by other labels and emblems.
  • C
    It is a reminder of their pledge to serve and protect.
  • D
    The right side represents authority.

Question 12

Which local law enforcement agency has the largest number of sworn officers?

  • A
    Los Angeles, California
  • B
    Miami, Florida
  • C
    Houston, Texas
  • D
    New York City, New York

Question 13

What are the rules for driving as a police officer?

  • A
    They do not need to drive as long as they are assigned to a partner who does
  • B
    Candidates must be able to obtain a drivers license within six months of becoming an officer
  • C
    Potential officers must be able to drive through an obstacle course backward
  • D
    They must have a valid driver’s license

Question 14

A search warrant is required to enter any premises to conduct a search; however, no warrant is needed to search which of these?

  • A
    A bar and grill
  • B
    A dump
  • C
    A public restroom
  • D
    Any motor vehicle

Question 15

How many babies are delivered by police officers each year in the United States?

  • A
    Approximately 775 babies.
  • B
    Over 1000 babies.
  • C
    Close to 2000 babies.
  • D
    Only a handful of babies.

Question 16

Are male police officers allowed to have facial hair?

  • A
    A beard is allowed as long as it does not touch their collar.
  • B
    A short and well-groomed mustache is allowed.
  • C
    A full beard and mustache is allowed as long as it is well-groomed.
  • D
    Officers must be clean-shaven.

Question 17

What is the most common cause of death for a police officer?

  • A
    Wrecks during a chase
  • B
    Accidental shootings
  • C
    Heart disease
  • D
    Suicide

Question 18

Do police officers receive special training in how to deliver a baby?

  • A
     It is a good idea and recommended that they take a class at a local hospital.
  • B
    No training is needed.
  • C
    Policemen are not allowed to deliver babies. They call in the EMTs.
  • D
    It is required in every state.

Question 19

What kind of educational requirements are there to become a state or local police officer?

  • A
    No requirements as long as you can pass an equivalency test.
  • B
    Must have a Master’s degree in political science.
  • C
    Must have 45 - 60 college credits in any field of study.
  • D
    No education is required.

Question 20

Who was the first female police officer and what year was she hired?

  • A
    Alice Wells in 1910
  • B
    Freda Johanssen in 1893
  • C
    Mary Kartchner in 1937
  • D
    Susanna Johnstun in 1951

Question 21

Which state has lost the fewest police officers in the line of duty?

  • A
    Maine
  • B
    Vermont
  • C
    Idaho
  • D
    Wyoming

Question 22

What does the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) allow for?

  • A
    Law enforcement officers are protected by law if they inflict a wound in self-defense.
  • B
    It allows officers to flee the scene if deemed too dangerous.
  • C
    Police officers are allowed to shoot at the first sign of personal threat.
  • D
    Police officers may now carry concealed weapons in all states and the District of Columbia.

Question 23

How many law enforcement officers are there in the United States?

  • A
    743,000
  • B
    1,400,270
  • C
    500,350
  • D
    900,000

Question 24

What percentage of police officers in the United States are female?

  • A
    18%
  • B
    25%
  • C
    13%
  • D
    3%

Question 25

Generally speaking, what are the age limits of someone seeking to become a federal investigator with the police department?

  • A
    No younger than 18, no older than 35
  • B
    No younger than 24, no older than 40
  • C
    No younger than 20, no older than 37
  • D
    No upper or lower age limit

Question 26

How many police officer deaths that happen on the job each year occur in police vehicles?

  • A
    Two-thirds
  • B
    Less than 25%
  • C
    Around 50%
  • D
    About 75%

Question 27

Which division of the police force is the largest?

  • A
    Those keeping an eye on drug smuggling.
  • B
    Town and neighborhood patrols.
  • C
    Those patrolling our borders.
  • D
    Traffic cops.

Question 28

Prior to 1980, when support services became more prevalent, how many police officers died within the first year of retirement from the force?

  • A
    67%
  • B
    10%
  • C
    43%
  • D
    50%

Question 29

How did the nightstick get its name?

  • A
    The stick was named for its inventor, Robert J. Night.
  • B
    Getting hit in the head with it could cause a person to see stars.
  • C
    Before being adopted by law enforcement agencies, they were used at night by bayou fishermen who would beat it on the side of the boat to warn alligators to stay away.
  • D
    Because there were separate sticks for night and day.

Question 30

Why do police officers eat so many donuts?

  • A
    They are fast and inexpensive.
  • B
    It started as a rumor but caught on, and cops like to perpetuate the joke.
  • C
    They crave fat and carbohydrates for quick energy.
  • D
    They often grab a donut when stopping into a shop to arrest a robber.

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