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Criminal Justice

Entry Level Assessment Blueprint

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

 

Crime Scene Management

• Exhibit understanding of proper evidence collection practices
• Exhibit knowledge of scientific principles involved in crime scene management including proper evidence preservation practices
• Exhibit understanding of initial crime scene management
• Identify and perform crime scene processing (e.g., crime scene search patterns, measurement, photography, latent print techniques)

Use of Force

• Identify and understand the use of force options
• Exhibit knowledge and understanding of civil and criminal liability
• Identify relevant case law that applies to the use of force
• Define the difference between less-than-lethal force and deadly force
• Identify less-than-lethal weapons and techniques
• Describe knowledge of basic firearm safety

Criminal Law and Procedures

• Display knowledge of significant case laws (e.g., Terry v. Ohio, Carroll v. United States)
• Identify key constitutional amendments (e.g., search and seizure)
• Display knowledge of branches of government
• Describe search and arrest procedures (e.g., probable cause)
• Define types, categories, and classes of crimes
• Exhibit knowledge of differences between criminal and civil law

Court System

• Describe the difference between a search warrant and an arrest warrant
• Display understanding of the different levels of federal courts
• Describe appropriate professional courtroom testimony and demeanor
• Exhibit knowledge of trial and court procedures (e.g., courtroom terminology, personnel)
• Exhibit knowledge of the juvenile justice system

Health and Safety

• Exhibit knowledge of universal precautions
• Demonstrate knowledge of CPR, first aid, and emergency medical care
• Identify hazardous materials, proper response, and scene management

Police Concepts and Skills

• Describe proper traffic stop techniques
• Describe proper handcuffing techniques
• Identify appropriate search procedures for persons, structures, and vehicles
• Identify different types of patrol procedures and techniques
• Display knowledge of different types of investigation (e.g., property crimes)
• Exhibit knowledge of proper interviewing and interrogation techniques
• Describe knowledge of fingerprinting and booking procedures
• Describe scene safety techniques for officer response (e.g., domestic abuse)
• Describe scene safety techniques at motor vehicle crash sites
• Describe characteristics of individuals operating a vehicle while impaired
• Display knowledge of professional ethics and conduct
• Exhibit knowledge of the history of policing

Corrections

• Identify corrections concepts, methods, and history (e.g., recidivism)
• Identify various types, security levels, and classifications of correctional institutions
• Understand methods and history of capital punishment
• Display knowledge of intake procedures
• Understand early release and diversionary programs (e.g., parole, probation)

Communication

• Exhibit knowledge of accurate report writing and field notes
• Display knowledge of interpersonal communication techniques (e.g., non-verbal, verbal)
• Demonstrate knowledge of proper de-escalation techniques
• Exhibit knowledge of effective community policing
• Display familiarity with law enforcement computer databases
• Exhibit knowledge of emerging police technology and social media
• Display knowledge of radio usage and procedures
• Describe the role of incident command (e.g., NIMS, transfer of command)

Security: National, International, and Private

• Exhibit awareness of sources and types of domestic and international terrorism
• Exhibit knowledge of private security and property protection
• Identify and understand different types of criminal organizations

Understand and Work with Special Populations

• Display understanding of cultural diversity (e.g., racial profiling)
• Exhibit appropriate methods of interacting with persons with mental health disabilities
• Identify crisis resources for persons with unique needs (e.g., victim advocates)

Written Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Questions: 195

Areas Covered:

Crime Scene Management: 8%

Use of Force 11%

Criminal Law and Procedures 10%

Court System 9%

Health and Safety 6%

Police Concepts and Skills 23%

Corrections 9%

Communication 14%

Security: National, International, and Private: 5%

Understand and Work with Special Populations: 5%

Sample Questions:

Wet evidence should be packaged in a paper bag because
A. it prevents the evidence from becoming moldy
B. it is less expensive than other materials
C. it allows for growth of microorganisms
D. paper is easier to store

A compliance weapon that uses a wire to transmit the control is called
A. pepper spray
B. a TASER
C. a stun gun
D. an expandable baton

Protection against double jeopardy is found in which amendment?
A. Fourth
B. Fifth
C. Sixth
D. Eighth

Courts that have the authority to review decisions of a lower court are known as ____ courts.
A. appellate
B. magistrate
C. district
D. parliamentary

Anaphylaxis significantly impacts the ____ system.
A. respiratory
B. nervous
C. musculoskeletal
D. endocrine

An officer should place handcuffs on an arrestee before
A. reading Miranda warnings
B. placing them in the patrol unit
C. issuing an arrest warrant
D. field sobriety tests

What are the three levels of prison classifications?
A. minimum, low, and maximum
B. minimum, medium, and maximum
C. pre-release, low, and medium
D. restricted, medium, and maximum

A recognized program aimed at neighborhood crime prevention is known as 
A. community policing
B. juvenile justice
C. internal affairs
D. homeland security

Most employers of private security officers prefer persons with prior experience and training as ____ officers.
A. parole
B. probation
C. immigration
D. law enforcement

If an individual is exhibiting signs and systems of psychosis, an officer must immediately request
A. a victim advocate
B. a chief or sheriff
C. paramedics or EMS
D. agency-directed resources

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Number of Jobs: 5

Areas Covered:

26% Crime Scene Investigation
Participant will properly prepare and search for evidence, measure the location of evidence, use correct photography techniques, correctly lift and label fingerprints, package a wet item of evidence, package additional evidence, and maintain crime scene integrity.

20% Arrest
Participant will properly complete correct arrest, place handcuffs, complete a search, and complete an arrest report with correct grammar and spelling.

8% Visual  and Auditory Observation Test
Participant will answer a series of questions from memory about what is observed and heard at a simulated crime scene, using correct spelling, grammar, and legible writing.

20% Traffic Stop and Citation Issue
Participant will correctly conduct a low-risk traffic stop, including reporting to dispatch, issuing a traffic citation, and maintaining proper safety.

26% Sobriety Testing
Participant will conduct three sobriety tests, including the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, the Walk and Turn, and the One Leg Stand. 

Sample Job: Visual and Auditory Observation Memory Test
Maximum Time: 15 minutes
Participant Activity: Participant will listen to the scenario description and briefly observe the simulated crime scene. Participant will then complete a legible worksheet with a series of questions answered from memory, using proper spelling and grammar.