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The Police in America, 4/e

Samuel Walker, University of Nebraska
Charles M. Katz, Arizona State University-West

Police Work

The Police and Crime

Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the best answer:


1	People usually think about the subject of the police and crime in terms of
		A)	patrol and arrests.
		B)	school prevention program.
		C)	realistic expectations.
		D)	indifference.
		E)	fear.


2	Most drug enforcement is
		A)	unimportant.
		B)	conducted by federal agents.
		C)	without any noticeable effects.
		D)	proactive.
		E)	reactive.


3	Identify the most important general crime control strategy.
		A)	Using paid informants.
		B)	Educating the general public.
		C)	Hiring more police.
		D)	Placing articles about crimes in newspapers.
		E)	Routine preventive patrol.


4	Some anti-crime programs are directed at victims rather than offenders. The most important of these are the
		A)	programs for children.
		B)	rape awareness programs.
		C)	domestic violence programs.
		D)	self-defense programs.
		E)	neighborhood watch programs.


5	A 1997 report on crime prevention programs by the University of Maryland places police activities in the context of other social institutions. The report argues that the traditional distinction between "law enforcement" and "crime prevention" is
		A)	Necessary.
		B)	difficult to assess.
		C)	not valid.
		D)	something that cannot be recognized.
		E)	never done today.


6	The primary crime prevention activity of the police is
		A)	educational activity.
		B)	routine patrol.
		C)	public relations activity.
		D)	something that will never change.
		E)	working with the media.


7	Most of the crimes that come to the attention of the police are the result of
		A)	a witness to the crime.
		B)	a citizen report.
		C)	a thorough investigation by the police.
		D)	a routine police patrol.
		E)	public pressures.


8	The news media and the public tend to focus their attention
		A)	on many different types of crimes.
		B)	a few “high fear” crimes.
		C)	economic crimes.
		D)	only one type of a crime.
		E)	only sex crimes.


9	The media often foster the idea that a good detective
		A)	does not remain a police officer for long.
		B)	is usually old.
		C)	does not need the help of other officers.
		D)	“can solve any crime.”
		E)	is a rarity.


10	Movies and television police shows usually portray detective work as
		A)	insignificant.
		B)	boring.
		C)	exciting and dangerous.
		D)	realistic activity.
		E)	simplistic.


11	Assignment as a detective is generally considered
		A)	of no importance.
		B)	a “thankless job.”
		C)	a boring job.
		D)	a high status assignment.
		E)	a final step before becoming Chief of Police.


12	What type of crime traditionally occupies the highest status for detectives?
		A)	Homicide.
		B)	Sexual assault.
		C)	Armed robbery.
		D)	Theft.
		E)	Illegal gambling.


13	Which detective units have the smallest workload and the highest clearance rate?
		A)	Homicide
		B)	Property crime.
		C)	Vice.
		D)	Juvenile.
		E)	Armed robbery.


14	Which types of police units traditionally have the worst corruption?
		A)	Homicide.
		B)	Vice.
		C)	Patrol.
		D)	Juvenile.
		E)	Intelligence.


15	Why do most arrests occur?
		A)	Because of forensic evidence.
		B)	Because of informers.
		C)	Because a suspect is on the scene or immediately identifiable and nearby.
		D)	Because the police have adequate equipment.
		E)	Because of the public’s cooperation.


16	How many departments make a record whenever the suspect is booked?
		A)	All.
		B)	None.
		C)	Few.
		D)	One-half.
		E)	It cannot be determined.


17	What is the single most important factor in determining the success and failure in solving crimes?
		A)	Proper equipment.
		B)	Fingerprints.
		C)	Time management.
		D)	The name or description of the suspect.
		E)	Help from other police agencies.


18	How important are fingerprints in solving crimes?
		A)	Very important.
		B)	Not important at all.
		C)	Important in every criminal case.
		D)	Rarely important in solving crimes.
		E)	We do not know.


19	By the end of the 1980's, which of the following represented the most serious problem facing the police, the criminal justice system, and American society as a whole?
		A)	Juvenile delinquency
		B)	Drugs.
		C)	Murder.
		D)	Prostitution
		E)	Armed robbery.


20	The DARE Program is
		A)	no longer in existence.
		B)	primarily associated with religion.
		C)	designed for the elderly.
		D)	not productive.
		E)	extremely popular.


21	What did a national survey find about most police departments in reference to computers?
		A)	They did not want to use computers.
		B)	They rely too much on computers.
		C)	They are well prepared to respond to computer-related crimes.
		D)	They are not prepared to respond to computer-related crime.
		E)	They ignore computers.

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