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ABF Officer Recruit SJT study materials
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ABF Officer Recruit SJT practice questions

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Question 1Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer recruit is offered a gift by a member of the public as thanks for help during an incident. According to standard public-service integrity expectations, what is the most appropriate response?

  1. Decline politely and report the offer in line with the organisation's gifts and hospitality policy. Correct answer.
  2. Accept it and share it with the rest of the team so no one benefits unfairly.
  3. Accept it only if its value is small enough to go unnoticed.
  4. Accept it because refusing would appear rude to the member of the public.

Explanation

Public-service integrity requires that gifts and hospitality be handled transparently and in line with policy, so offers are declined and declared. Accepting privately, or judging by value alone, undermines accountability and public trust.

Question 2Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which statement best describes the purpose of a code of ethics for a law enforcement organisation?

  1. It guarantees that staff will never face ethical dilemmas at work.
  2. It sets out the standards of behaviour expected of staff and guides decisions where rules alone are unclear. Correct answer.
  3. It replaces the need for individual judgement in operational situations.
  4. It lists the disciplinary sanctions that will follow each type of misconduct.

Explanation

A code of ethics articulates shared values and expected standards, providing a reference point for judgement when specific rules do not cover a situation. It complements, rather than replaces, policy and law.

Question 3Integrity, ethics and professional standards

A recruit notices a colleague has recorded on an official system that they completed a patrol that the recruit believes did not take place. What is the most appropriate first step?

  1. Confront the colleague publicly in front of the team to deter similar behaviour.
  2. Make a note of it and wait to see whether it happens again before acting.
  3. Report the concern through the appropriate internal channel so it can be properly examined. Correct answer.
  4. Ignore it because it does not directly affect the recruit's own work.

Explanation

Concerns about integrity, including potentially inaccurate records, should be raised through the proper reporting channels so they can be assessed fairly and objectively. Public confrontation and delay both risk harm and allow misconduct to continue.

Question 4Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked by a friend to look up a vehicle registration on a police system to find out who owns a car parked outside the friend's house. What should the officer do?

  1. Run the check only if the friend has a legitimate reason such as a parking dispute.
  2. Run the check but refuse to share the result with the friend.
  3. Run the check and record it as an intelligence enquiry to justify it later.
  4. Refuse because accessing data without a policing purpose is a misuse of position. Correct answer.

Explanation

Police systems may only be accessed for a legitimate policing purpose; personal curiosity or helping a friend is not one. Unauthorised access is a serious integrity and data-protection breach regardless of whether the information is shared.

Question 5Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which behaviour is the clearest example of a conflict of interest that should be declared?

  1. An officer uses annual leave to travel abroad.
  2. An officer's close relative is arrested by a colleague on the same shift. Correct answer.
  3. An officer attends a community event in uniform.
  4. An officer socialises with colleagues from a different team.

Explanation

A personal connection to someone involved in a case creates a potential conflict of interest, and declaring it allows supervisors to manage the situation. Normal social and personal activities do not ordinarily require declaration.

Question 6Integrity, ethics and professional standards

During an investigation, an officer discovers evidence that would help the person under investigation. What is the most ethical course of action?

  1. Withhold the evidence because it may undermine the case the officer has built.
  2. Mention it informally to the prosecutor without recording it.
  3. Disclose the evidence in accordance with disclosure obligations and record the decision. Correct answer.
  4. Destroy the evidence if it is unlikely to be found by anyone else.

Explanation

Fair investigation requires that all relevant material, including material that weakens the case, be considered and disclosed according to the rules. Withholding or destroying evidence undermines justice and is a serious integrity breach.

Question 7Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What does the principle of 'policing by consent' most directly imply for an officer's conduct?

  1. Officers may use force whenever they believe it will be supported locally.
  2. Officers should enforce only those laws that the public agrees with.
  3. Officers must obtain written agreement before enforcing any law.
  4. Officers rely on public confidence and legitimacy, so their behaviour must merit that trust. Correct answer.

Explanation

Policing by consent means authority derives from public confidence in the legitimacy of the police, which depends on lawful, fair and ethical conduct. It does not mean individual laws require public approval.

Question 8Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is completing a report and realises a small detail in an earlier statement was wrong. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Leave the original statement unchanged to avoid appearing unreliable.
  2. Add the correct detail only if someone later asks about it.
  3. Correct the record promptly and transparently, explaining the change. Correct answer.
  4. Amend the original document quietly so the record looks consistent.

Explanation

Accuracy and transparency require that errors in official records be corrected openly and promptly, with the correction itself recorded. Concealing or quietly altering errors damages the integrity of the record and the officer's credibility.

Question 9Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best describes 'noble cause corruption'?

  1. Accepting a bribe to drop a charge against an offender.
  2. Falsifying or bending rules because the officer believes it will achieve a good outcome. Correct answer.
  3. Treating a suspect rudely during an interview.
  4. Failing to complete mandatory training on time.

Explanation

Noble cause corruption occurs when officers justify improper methods, such as fabricating or manipulating evidence, by the belief that the result is morally right. The good intention does not make the conduct acceptable.

Question 10Integrity, ethics and professional standards

A recruit is asked by a supervisor to sign a training record confirming attendance at a session the recruit did not attend. What should the recruit do?

  1. Sign it to maintain a good relationship with the supervisor.
  2. Sign it but mention the issue to a colleague for support.
  3. Refuse to sign and raise the matter through the appropriate channel. Correct answer.
  4. Sign it and arrange to attend the session at a later date.

Explanation

Signing a false record is dishonest regardless of who asks, and integrity requires refusing and escalating the request appropriately. Deferring attendance does not make the original false signature acceptable.

Question 11Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What is the primary reason officers are expected to treat all members of the public with respect, regardless of their behaviour?

  1. It is required only when members of the public are cooperative.
  2. It reflects the professional standard that dignity applies to everyone, including those who are detained. Correct answer.
  3. It reduces the likelihood of complaints being made.
  4. It ensures suspects will always comply with instructions.

Explanation

Respect for human dignity is a core professional value that applies irrespective of a person's conduct or status. Compliance and complaint avoidance may be side effects but are not the underlying reason.

Question 12Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer receives information from a confidential source about a planned crime. A journalist later asks the officer to confirm the source's identity. What is the correct response?

  1. Refuse to disclose and explain that source identities are protected. Correct answer.
  2. Hint at the source's role so the journalist can work it out.
  3. Disclose the identity only if the crime is serious.
  4. Confirm the identity because the journalist promises not to publish it.

Explanation

Protecting confidential sources is a fundamental professional obligation that preserves trust and future cooperation with investigations. Promises of confidentiality from third parties do not override this duty.

Question 13Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which action best demonstrates accountability in a public office?

  1. Delegating all difficult decisions to a senior colleague.
  2. Recording only the decisions that turned out well.
  3. Avoiding decisions that might attract criticism.
  4. Taking responsibility for one's decisions and being prepared to explain them. Correct answer.

Explanation

Accountability means owning decisions and their consequences and being willing to justify them openly. Delegating to avoid responsibility, avoiding decisions, or selective record-keeping all undermine it.

Question 14Integrity, ethics and professional standards

A recruit sees a colleague being subjected to repeated demeaning comments by a more senior officer. What is the most appropriate professional response?

  1. Report the behaviour through the appropriate channel and support the colleague. Correct answer.
  2. Advise the colleague to confront the senior officer alone.
  3. Join in lightly to avoid becoming a target.
  4. Say nothing because it is not the recruit's place to challenge a senior officer.

Explanation

Professional standards require challenging and reporting bullying or harassment, and supporting those affected. Silence or participation allows harmful conduct to continue, and advising an isolated confrontation may place the colleague at further risk.

Question 15Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is off duty and sees an off-duty colleague driving in a way that appears dangerous. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  1. Warn the colleague privately and take no further action.
  2. Report the concern through the proper process rather than confronting the colleague informally. Correct answer.
  3. Post about it on social media to deter others.
  4. Ignore it because the colleague is not on duty.

Explanation

Officers remain subject to professional standards at all times, and concerns about a colleague's conduct should be reported through established channels. Public posting breaches confidentiality, and informal private warnings do not meet the duty to report.

Question 16Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What is the main ethical concern when an officer uses discretion not to arrest a person who has committed a minor offence?

  1. Discretion should favour people who are polite to the officer.
  2. Discretion is never permitted in policing.
  3. Discretion must be exercised fairly, consistently and for legitimate reasons that can be explained. Correct answer.
  4. Discretion should always result in an arrest to avoid criticism.

Explanation

Discretion is a legitimate part of policing, but it must be guided by fairness, consistency and justifiable reasons rather than personal preference. It must be explainable and free from bias.

Question 17Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked to provide a character reference for a family friend in a criminal case. What is the most appropriate consideration?

  1. Provide it but conceal that the officer is a serving officer.
  2. Provide it because personal loyalty to friends is paramount.
  3. Decline if the reference could conflict with the officer's professional duties or impartiality. Correct answer.
  4. Provide it only if the friend is likely to be acquitted.

Explanation

Officers must avoid situations where their personal connections compromise, or appear to compromise, their impartiality and public trust. Declining where a conflict exists protects professional integrity.

Question 18Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best explains why procedural justice matters to ethical policing?

  1. It builds trust by treating people fairly, respectfully and transparently, which supports cooperation and legitimacy. Correct answer.
  2. It applies only to people who have not committed an offence.
  3. It guarantees that offenders will be convicted.
  4. It removes the need for officers to enforce the law.

Explanation

Procedural justice focuses on fair process, voice, neutrality and respect, which foster trust and legitimacy even in enforcement encounters. It does not guarantee outcomes or exempt anyone from the law.

Question 19Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is offered a lift home by a member of the public who was recently helped during an incident. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Accept it only if the member of the public insists.
  2. Politely decline and follow the organisation's policy on gifts and hospitality. Correct answer.
  3. Accept it because it saves public money on transport.
  4. Accept it and offer to pay for fuel to make it fair.

Explanation

Accepting personal benefits from members of the public can create obligations and the appearance of favouritism, so policy-compliant refusal is the appropriate course. Insistence by the member of the public does not remove the need to follow policy.

Question 20Integrity, ethics and professional standards

A recruit is unsure whether a planned action is ethical. Which approach best reflects sound ethical reasoning?

  1. Follow whatever the majority of the team would do.
  2. Choose the option that is quickest to complete.
  3. Act first and reflect on whether it was right afterwards.
  4. Ask whether the action is lawful, consistent with policy and values, and how it would be viewed if made public. Correct answer.

Explanation

Sound ethical reasoning weighs lawfulness, policy, organisational values and public accountability, often captured by the question of whether the action could withstand public scrutiny. Speed and majority practice are not ethical tests.

Question 21Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked to give evidence in court and realises their notes are incomplete. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Avoid giving evidence by claiming to be unavailable.
  2. Ask a colleague to fill in the missing details.
  3. Fill in the gaps from memory and present the notes as a complete record.
  4. Disclose that the notes are incomplete and give evidence honestly, distinguishing memory from record. Correct answer.

Explanation

Giving evidence requires honesty about the limits of notes and memory; incomplete records must be acknowledged rather than concealed. Fabricating or having others complete notes is dishonest and undermines justice.

Question 22Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which statement best reflects the duty of an officer who witnesses a colleague committing a serious breach of professional standards?

  1. The officer should wait until annual appraisal to raise it.
  2. The officer should keep it private to protect team morale.
  3. The officer should report it promptly through the appropriate channel. Correct answer.
  4. The officer should report it only if the colleague has previously reported them.

Explanation

A duty to report serious breaches exists to protect the public, the organisation and the profession's reputation. Concealment, retaliation and delay all conflict with that duty.

Question 23Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is offered a substantial discount by a local business owner who frequently calls on police assistance. What is the main ethical risk of accepting it?

  1. It may breach the business owner's consumer rights.
  2. It may create a sense of obligation and the appearance of preferential treatment. Correct answer.
  3. It may result in the officer paying too much tax.
  4. It may damage the officer's credit rating.

Explanation

Substantial benefits from someone who relies on police services can create reciprocal obligations and the appearance of favouritism, undermining impartiality. The core concern is integrity and public trust, not personal finance.

Question 24Integrity, ethics and professional standards

A recruit is asked to complete a survey about a colleague's performance for a promotion panel and knows the colleague well socially. What is the most appropriate approach?

  1. Decline to complete the survey without explanation.
  2. Base the assessment on what other colleagues have said about the colleague.
  3. Declare the personal relationship and provide an objective assessment based on evidence. Correct answer.
  4. Give a glowing assessment because the colleague is a friend.

Explanation

Personal relationships must be declared and assessments based on evidence to preserve fairness and objectivity. Favouritism, unexplained refusal and reliance on unverified hearsay all compromise the process.

Question 25Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best distinguishes an ethical lapse from a criminal offence in the context of professional standards?

  1. Ethical lapses are ignored if no complaint is made.
  2. An ethical lapse is always also a criminal offence.
  3. Conduct may breach professional standards and damage trust without meeting the threshold of a criminal offence. Correct answer.
  4. Only criminal offences matter for professional standards.

Explanation

Professional standards set expectations of conduct that go beyond the criminal law, so behaviour can be unethical and damaging to trust without being criminal. Standards apply regardless of whether a complaint is made.

Question 26Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best defines 'integrity' in the context of policing?

  1. Consistently acting in line with ethical principles, even when no one is watching Correct answer.
  2. Prioritising the interests of the police service over those of the public
  3. Following orders without question, regardless of personal beliefs
  4. Maintaining a strong public image to secure community trust

Explanation

Integrity means adherence to moral and ethical principles, and it is demonstrated through consistent behaviour that aligns with those principles, particularly when unobserved. It is not about blind obedience, public relations, or organisational self-interest.

Question 27Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is interviewing a victim of domestic abuse who is visibly distressed and asks to stop the interview. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Tell the victim that the interview must be completed now or not at all
  2. Pause the interview and allow the victim time to compose themselves before continuing Correct answer.
  3. End the interview permanently and close the investigation
  4. Continue the interview quickly to gather all necessary details while they are still available

Explanation

Respecting the victim's dignity and welfare is a core ethical duty. Pausing allows the victim to recover while still enabling the investigation to proceed sensitively. Continuing without consent or ending the investigation entirely are both inappropriate.

Question 28Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following is a key purpose of a code of ethics for police officers?

  1. To list every possible scenario an officer might face
  2. To provide a framework for decision-making and guide professional behaviour Correct answer.
  3. To guarantee that officers will never make mistakes
  4. To replace the need for individual judgement in complex situations

Explanation

A code of ethics sets out principles and standards to guide officers in their conduct and decision-making. It does not eliminate the need for judgement, guarantee perfection, or attempt to cover every possible situation.

Question 29Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is offered a free meal by a restaurant owner who says it is 'just a thank you' for previous help. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Decline the offer politely, explaining that accepting gifts could compromise impartiality Correct answer.
  2. Accept the meal but only if the officer pays for it later without telling anyone
  3. Accept the meal and keep it secret to avoid any appearance of impropriety
  4. Accept the meal and in return promise to respond faster to future calls from that restaurant

Explanation

Accepting gifts or hospitality can create a conflict of interest or the appearance of favouritism, undermining impartiality. Officers should decline such offers politely and explain the ethical basis for doing so.

Question 30Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What does 'conflict of interest' mean for a police officer?

  1. A situation where an officer's personal interests could improperly influence their professional duties Correct answer.
  2. A disagreement between two officers about how to handle an incident
  3. A legal requirement to declare all personal assets annually
  4. A situation where an officer has to choose between two equally important tasks

Explanation

A conflict of interest arises when personal interests (financial, familial, or otherwise) have the potential to improperly influence an officer's decisions or actions. It is not about interpersonal disagreements or task prioritisation.

Question 31Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked to provide information about a neighbour to a private investigator. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Refuse to provide any information, as it would breach data protection and confidentiality Correct answer.
  2. Provide the information in exchange for payment
  3. Provide the information only if the neighbour is not a friend
  4. Provide the information because the investigator claims to be working on a legitimate case

Explanation

Police information is confidential and must only be disclosed for legitimate policing purposes and in accordance with data protection law. Providing it to a private investigator without proper authorisation is a breach of confidentiality.

Question 32Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best describes 'whistleblowing' in a policing context?

  1. Publicly complaining about management decisions on social media
  2. Refusing to follow orders that are inconvenient
  3. Reporting wrongdoing within the organisation to an appropriate authority Correct answer.
  4. Leaking confidential information to the press without authorisation

Explanation

Whistleblowing is the act of reporting suspected wrongdoing or malpractice to an appropriate internal or external authority, often with legal protections. It is distinct from unauthorised leaks or public complaints.

Question 33Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What is the primary ethical reason for keeping accurate and complete records in policing?

  1. To make the officer's work easier to review by supervisors
  2. To ensure transparency, accountability, and the reliability of evidence Correct answer.
  3. To impress the court with the officer's thoroughness
  4. To reduce the amount of paperwork needed later

Explanation

Accurate records are fundamental to transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the justice process. They ensure that decisions can be reviewed and evidence is reliable.

Question 34Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked by a friend to run a check on a vehicle's registration out of curiosity. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Refuse, because police systems must only be used for legitimate policing purposes Correct answer.
  2. Run the check and ask the friend to keep it confidential
  3. Run the check but tell no one
  4. Run the check only if the friend has a good reason

Explanation

Police systems are accessed for policing purposes only. Unauthorised access is a breach of data protection and professional standards, regardless of the reason or relationship.

Question 35Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is investigating a minor traffic offence and the offender becomes verbally abusive. The officer feels angry. What is the most ethical response?

  1. Walk away and ignore the offence to avoid escalation
  2. Respond with a similar level of verbal abuse to assert authority
  3. Remain calm, control the situation professionally, and proceed according to procedure Correct answer.
  4. Arrest the offender for the minor offence as punishment for the abuse

Explanation

Officers are expected to maintain professionalism and emotional control, not to retaliate or misuse powers. Remaining calm and following procedure upholds ethical standards and public trust.

Question 36Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best explains why 'transparency' is important in policing?

  1. It guarantees that the police will always be popular
  2. It ensures that all police operations are made public immediately
  3. It prevents officers from ever making mistakes
  4. It allows the public to scrutinise police actions and hold officers accountable Correct answer.

Explanation

Transparency enables public scrutiny and accountability, which are essential for trust and legitimacy. It does not mean revealing all operational details, nor does it guarantee perfection or popularity.

Question 37Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is offered a promotion in exchange for ignoring a colleague's minor misconduct. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Accept the offer but later report the misconduct anonymously
  2. Refuse the offer and report the misconduct through the proper channels Correct answer.
  3. Accept the offer because the misconduct is minor
  4. Refuse the offer but take no further action

Explanation

Integrity requires refusing improper offers and reporting misconduct. Accepting, even with later reporting, is unethical, and failing to report misconduct is a breach of duty.

Question 38Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What is the ethical significance of the 'duty of candour' for police officers?

  1. It requires officers to be honest and open when things go wrong Correct answer.
  2. It obliges officers to share all information with the public
  3. It applies only to senior officers
  4. It means officers must always admit guilt when accused

Explanation

The duty of candour is about honesty and transparency, especially in acknowledging and learning from mistakes. It does not mean admitting guilt without evidence, nor does it require unrestricted disclosure.

Question 39Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked to use force to restrain a suspect who is resisting arrest. What ethical principle should guide the officer's use of force?

  1. Force must be necessary, proportionate, and lawful Correct answer.
  2. Force should be avoided entirely, even if the officer is in danger
  3. Force should be used to teach the suspect a lesson
  4. Force is always justified once a suspect resists

Explanation

The use of force must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate to the threat. It is not for punishment, and officers may use force when necessary to protect themselves or others.

Question 40Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best describes 'implicit bias' and its relevance to policing?

  1. A legal requirement to treat everyone exactly the same
  2. A deliberate preference for certain groups, which is always illegal
  3. Unconscious attitudes that can influence decisions, requiring officers to be aware and mitigate them Correct answer.
  4. A bias that only affects officers from certain backgrounds

Explanation

Implicit biases are unconscious associations that can affect behaviour and decisions. Ethical policing requires officers to recognise and counteract such biases to ensure fairness.

Question 41Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is off duty and witnesses a serious assault. What is the most ethical course of action?

  1. Intervene using whatever force they deem necessary without calling for backup
  2. Record the incident on their phone and post it online
  3. Intervene if safe to do so and call for assistance, identifying themselves as a police officer Correct answer.
  4. Ignore it because they are off duty

Explanation

Off-duty officers retain a duty to act within their capabilities and to summon assistance. They should identify themselves and ensure safety, not take unnecessary risks or engage in vigilantism.

Question 42Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What is the primary ethical concern with 'noble cause corruption'?

  1. It involves wrongdoing justified by perceived good outcomes, undermining the rule of law Correct answer.
  2. It is a minor procedural error that can be corrected later
  3. It only occurs when officers are under pressure to meet targets
  4. It is acceptable if the officer's intentions are good

Explanation

Noble cause corruption is the use of unethical means for supposedly good ends. It is a serious breach because it erodes trust and the rule of law, regardless of intentions.

Question 43Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked to give a statement about an incident where they made a mistake. What is the most ethical approach?

  1. Exaggerate the suspect's actions to justify the mistake
  2. Provide a truthful account, including the mistake, and explain what happened Correct answer.
  3. Omit the mistake to protect their reputation
  4. Refuse to give a statement without a lawyer present

Explanation

Honesty and candour are fundamental. Officers must provide accurate accounts, even when it reveals their own errors. Omitting or distorting facts is dishonest and undermines justice.

Question 44Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What does 'procedural justice' primarily emphasise in policing?

  1. Following procedures even if they are unjust
  2. Fair and transparent processes that give people a voice and treat them with dignity Correct answer.
  3. Achieving the fastest possible resolution to incidents
  4. Ensuring that all offenders are punished severely

Explanation

Procedural justice focuses on the fairness of the process, including participation, neutrality, dignity, and trustworthiness. It is not about speed or severity of outcomes.

Question 45Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer discovers that a colleague has been accessing police databases for personal reasons. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Confront the colleague and demand they stop, but take no further action
  2. Access the database themselves to check what the colleague was looking at
  3. Report the colleague's actions through the appropriate internal channel Correct answer.
  4. Ignore it because it is not the officer's responsibility

Explanation

Officers have a duty to report known or suspected misconduct. Confronting without reporting may leave the misconduct unaddressed, and ignoring it is a breach of duty. Accessing the database for personal reasons is also wrong.

Question 46Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of 'accountability' for police officers?

  1. Being answerable for one's actions and decisions, including to the public and oversight bodies Correct answer.
  2. Being accountable only to one's immediate supervisor
  3. Being accountable for outcomes but not for the means used
  4. Being accountable only when someone is watching

Explanation

Accountability means being responsible for one's actions and decisions, and being prepared to explain and justify them to the public, the law, and oversight bodies. It is not limited to supervision or visibility.

Question 47Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is offered a bribe to lose evidence in a case. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Refuse the bribe and report the attempt to the appropriate anti-corruption authority Correct answer.
  2. Pretend to accept the bribe to gather more evidence, without authorisation
  3. Accept the bribe but later return the money
  4. Refuse the bribe but keep the offer secret to avoid trouble

Explanation

Refusing a bribe is essential, but reporting the attempt is also required to uphold integrity and prevent corruption. Unauthorised stings or secret-keeping are not appropriate.

Question 48Integrity, ethics and professional standards

What is the ethical significance of the 'public interest' test in policing decisions?

  1. It is a financial calculation about the cost of police operations
  2. It applies only to decisions about whether to prosecute
  3. It means always prioritising the majority's opinion over individual rights
  4. It requires balancing the rights of individuals with the needs of the community Correct answer.

Explanation

The public interest test involves weighing individual rights and community safety, ensuring decisions are justified and proportionate. It is not about majority rule or cost, and it applies to many policing decisions.

Question 49Integrity, ethics and professional standards

An officer is asked to provide a reference for a colleague applying for a specialist role. The officer knows the colleague has a history of bullying but has not been formally disciplined. What is the most ethical response?

  1. Provide a reference that hints at problems without stating them clearly
  2. Provide a negative reference based on rumours without evidence
  3. Decline to provide a reference if unable to be honest, or provide a truthful reference that includes concerns Correct answer.
  4. Provide a positive reference to avoid conflict, omitting the concerns

Explanation

References must be honest and fair. If an officer cannot provide a truthful reference without compromising their integrity, they should decline. Omitting relevant concerns or hinting without clarity is dishonest.

Question 50Integrity, ethics and professional standards

Which of the following best explains why 'ethical leadership' is important in policing?

  1. Ethical leadership is primarily about public relations
  2. Ethical leadership ensures that rules are followed without question
  3. Leaders are the only ones responsible for ethical conduct
  4. Leaders set the tone for acceptable behaviour and influence the ethical culture of the organisation Correct answer.

Explanation

Ethical leadership shapes organisational culture by modelling and reinforcing ethical behaviour. It does not absolve others of responsibility, nor is it about unquestioning obedience or public image.