AL POST key terms

A court rule that prevents prosecutors from using evidence at trial if police obtained it by violating the defendant's constitutional rights, such as through an unlawful search or seizure.

The level of reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a crime has been committed or that evidence will be found in a particular place, justifying an arrest or search.

A lower standard than probable cause in which specific, articulable facts suggest criminal activity, allowing an officer to briefly detain and investigate a person.

A brief investigative detention based on reasonable suspicion during which an officer may question a person and, if warranted, conduct a limited pat-down for weapons.

The advisement of rights to remain silent, that statements may be used against the person, and to have an attorney, required before custodial interrogation.

Questioning by police of a person who is in custody or whose freedom is significantly restricted, which triggers the requirement for Miranda warnings.

A written court order, supported by sworn probable cause, authorizing officers to search a specific place or person and seize specified evidence.

A limited pat-down of a person's outer clothing for weapons, permitted when an officer reasonably suspects the person is armed and dangerous.

A progressive framework describing levels of officer response, from mere presence to deadly force, matched to the level of resistance or threat encountered.

The legal standard for evaluating force, judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene rather than with hindsight.

Force that is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, permitted only when an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent such harm.

The process of increasing or reducing force in response to changing threat levels, with de-escalation using communication and tactics to lower risk when possible.

An armed person actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area, requiring immediate law enforcement response to stop the threat.

Cover is protection that stops bullets, while concealment only hides an officer from view; recognizing the difference is essential for officer safety.

A two-officer tactic in which one officer handles the primary contact while the other watches for threats and provides backup and security.

A trained response to a firearm failure, such as tapping the magazine and racking the slide, performed quickly to restore the weapon to service.

Keeping the finger straight and off the trigger until the sights are on target and the decision to fire has been made.

Core handling rules including treating every firearm as loaded, pointing it in a safe direction, keeping the finger off the trigger, and knowing the target and backstop.

A set of three validated roadside tests, horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand, used to assess impairment in suspected impaired drivers.

The legal principle that drivers, by using public roads, agree in advance to submit to chemical testing when lawfully arrested for impaired driving.

The distance a vehicle travels while the driver perceives a hazard and begins to brake, before the brakes are actually applied.

The sum of perception-reaction distance and braking distance, representing the full distance needed to bring a vehicle to a complete stop.

The documented, unbroken record of who handled evidence, when, and where, from collection through trial, proving the evidence has not been altered.

The systematic steps of securing, documenting, collecting, and preserving evidence at a scene while maintaining its integrity for later use.

The characteristic method a repeat offender uses to commit crimes, which can help investigators link incidents and identify suspects.

A structured approach using communication and de-escalation to safely interact with people experiencing mental health or behavioral crises.

A severe, life-threatening state of agitation, confusion, and elevated body temperature often seen in acute crisis, requiring rapid medical response.

The obligation of officers to stop a colleague's clearly excessive force when present and able to do so, and to report the conduct.

A set of guiding principles for professional conduct, emphasizing integrity, public trust, fairness, and accountability in policing.

The idea that people accept outcomes more readily when the process is fair, including giving voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives.

Special driving exceptions granted to officers during a legitimate emergency, such as proceeding against traffic signals, subject to due regard for safety.

The legal duty of an officer operating an emergency vehicle to drive with reasonable care for the safety of others despite emergency privileges.

Agency rules governing when and how officers may pursue fleeing vehicles, including criteria for initiation, termination, and supervisory control.

Chest compressions combined with rescue breaths to circulate oxygenated blood when a person's heart has stopped, until advanced care arrives.

A portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest, used with CPR.

The linked steps that improve survival after cardiac arrest, including early recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced care, and hospital treatment.

The standard components of a police report, including who, what, when, where, why, and how, documented objectively and in chronological order.

The practice of maintaining physical conditioning, nutrition, sleep, and mental health, which supports safe performance and career longevity.