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APCO PST1 practice questions

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Question 1Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A telecommunicator answers an emergency line. What should be included in the initial greeting?

  1. Agency name and your identification Correct answer.
  2. Estimated time of arrival and disposition
  3. Caller's name and callback number
  4. Incident number and responding unit

Explanation

The greeting identifies the agency and the telecommunicator so the caller knows who answered and that the call is being handled professionally. Incident details, caller data, and response estimates are gathered after the greeting. A clear opening also sets the tone for the interview.

Question 2Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

Which question is open-ended and best suited to learning the nature of a caller's problem?

  1. Are you injured?
  2. What is happening right now? Correct answer.
  3. Is anyone else with you?
  4. Do you live at this address?

Explanation

Open-ended questions invite a narrative and cannot be answered with yes or no, so they reveal the caller's own description of the problem. The other choices are closed-ended and narrow the response to a single fact. Starting with an open-ended question helps the telecommunicator avoid assumptions.

Question 3Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports smoke coming from a neighbor's house. Which information should the telecommunicator confirm first?

  1. The exact location of the fire Correct answer.
  2. The caller's date of birth
  3. Whether the caller has insurance
  4. The neighbor's full name

Explanation

Location is the first priority because responders cannot be sent without it; everything else can follow. Names and demographic details are secondary to the address or precise location of the emergency. Confirming the location early also prevents delays if the call drops.

Question 4Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

Why should a telecommunicator obtain a callback number early in the call?

  1. To complete the incident report header
  2. To call back if the line drops Correct answer.
  3. To decide which unit to assign
  4. To determine the caller's insurance status

Explanation

A callback number allows the telecommunicator to reconnect if the call drops and provides a way to obtain missing information. It does not determine incident priority or unit assignment by itself. Early collection also saves time if the caller must leave the line.

Question 5Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

When is a closed-ended question most useful during call processing?

  1. When confirming a detail the caller just gave Correct answer.
  2. When the telecommunicator wants to avoid documenting facts
  3. When inviting the caller to describe the entire incident
  4. When the caller is unable to speak at all

Explanation

Closed-ended questions are useful for verifying a single fact, such as an address or a number, because they produce a short, checkable answer. Open-ended questions are better for initial narratives. Choosing the right question type keeps the interview efficient.

Question 6Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller keeps describing unrelated background events. Which approach best refocuses the interview?

  1. Disconnect and call back later
  2. Remain silent until the caller stops talking
  3. Ask directly about the emergency Correct answer.
  4. Transfer the call without explanation

Explanation

A direct, specific question redirects the caller to the information responders need while keeping the caller on the line. Silence may allow the caller to continue, and disconnecting or transferring abandons the interview. Refocusing should be firm but respectful.

Question 7Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

What is the main purpose of repeating key information back to a caller?

  1. To establish legal liability for the caller
  2. To confirm the details were recorded correctly Correct answer.
  3. To shorten the call by discouraging detail
  4. To test whether the caller is being truthful

Explanation

Repeating details back, often called a read-back, confirms accuracy and gives the caller a chance to correct errors. It is a verification technique, not an interrogation or a way to assign liability. Read-backs are especially important for addresses, phone numbers, and license plates.

Question 8Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller is screaming and difficult to understand. What is the best initial technique?

  1. Use a calm, firm voice and short directives Correct answer.
  2. Match the caller's volume so they can hear you
  3. Tell the caller to calm down immediately
  4. Wait quietly for the screaming to stop

Explanation

A calm, firm tone with short directives gives the caller something specific to do and helps reduce panic. Ordering the caller to calm down or matching their volume usually escalates the situation. Clear, simple requests are easier to follow under stress.

Question 9Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller is stranded on a highway and does not know the exit number. Which information is most useful for locating the caller?

  1. The name of the caller's insurance company
  2. The nearest mile marker or exit Correct answer.
  3. The color of the caller's vehicle
  4. The caller's home address

Explanation

Highway mile markers, exits, and major landmarks give responders a precise point along the road. A home address does not locate a moving or stranded caller on the highway. Vehicle color may help identify the car but does not establish where it is.

Question 10Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports a loud argument but is unsure whether anyone is hurt. Which question best helps determine the immediate priority?

  1. How long have you lived at this address?
  2. Is anyone injured or in immediate danger? Correct answer.
  3. What is your relationship to the people arguing?
  4. Would you like to file a report tomorrow?

Explanation

Immediate danger and injury determine whether the call is an emergency requiring urgent dispatch. Relationship, residency, and future reporting are secondary details. Priority is based on the current threat to life and safety.

Question 11Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

During a report of a person with a gun, which information is most important to obtain?

  1. The number of years the caller has known the person
  2. The brand of the firearm
  3. The weapon type, its location, and whether it was shown Correct answer.
  4. The caller's opinion of gun laws

Explanation

Responder safety depends on knowing the type of weapon, its location, and whether it has been shown or used. Brand and background details are less urgent than the current threat. This information helps responders plan a safe approach.

Question 12Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller is describing a suspect who is walking away. What is the best way to collect the description?

  1. Ask only for the suspect's name
  2. Ask for the suspect's life history first
  3. Wait until the suspect is out of sight, then ask
  4. Start with visible features, then build the description Correct answer.

Explanation

Building a description from the most noticeable features helps the caller provide useful information before the suspect leaves view. A structured sequence, such as clothing first or head-to-toe, keeps the description organized. Waiting or asking broad background questions wastes the limited time.

Question 13Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller is watching a burglary in progress from a window. What safety instruction should the telecommunicator give?

  1. Follow the intruder at a safe distance
  2. Turn on all the lights and open the door
  3. Go outside and write down the license plate
  4. Stay back and do not confront the intruder Correct answer.

Explanation

Caller safety comes first; the telecommunicator should advise the caller to avoid contact and remain in a protected location. Confronting or following a suspect increases the risk of harm. The caller can continue providing observations from safety.

Question 14Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

Why should a telecommunicator try to keep a caller on the line until responders arrive?

  1. To prevent the caller from calling again
  2. To complete the call within a set time limit
  3. To record the caller's voice for evidence
  4. To give updates and pre-arrival guidance Correct answer.

Explanation

Keeping the caller on the line allows the telecommunicator to gather changing information and give safety or medical instructions. It also reduces the chance that important details are lost if the caller hangs up. The goal is support and information flow, not call control for its own sake.

Question 15Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller speaks a language the telecommunicator does not understand. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Speak louder and repeat the same words
  2. Use a qualified interpreter service Correct answer.
  3. Ask a young child in the household to interpret
  4. End the call and wait for the caller to redial

Explanation

A qualified interpreter provides accurate communication and avoids misunderstandings that can affect safety. Using untrained family members, especially children, can distort critical information. The telecommunicator should keep the caller on the line while arranging interpretation.

Question 16Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A call connects but the caller says nothing. What should the telecommunicator do first?

  1. Listen for background sounds and ask simple questions Correct answer.
  2. Announce that the call is being traced and demand a response
  3. Disconnect immediately as a misdial
  4. Transfer the call to a supervisor

Explanation

Silent calls may involve a person who cannot speak safely, so the telecommunicator should listen for background clues and offer simple questions. Disconnecting or making demands can place the caller at risk. A callback and a check of the address may follow if the line stays open.

Question 17Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A third party calls to report an injured person at a different location. Which two locations should the telecommunicator clarify?

  1. The caller's workplace and the patient's workplace
  2. The caller's location and the patient's location Correct answer.
  3. The nearest hospital and the caller's home
  4. The police station and the fire station

Explanation

Responders need the patient's location, while the caller's location matters if the caller is also affected or if the call disconnects. Workplace, hospital, and station locations do not replace these two addresses. Clarifying both prevents confusion about where help is needed.

Question 18Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports a vehicle driving erratically. Which information is most useful for officers to locate the vehicle?

  1. The caller's opinion of the driver
  2. The vehicle's maintenance history
  3. The driver's favorite route
  4. The plate, vehicle description, and direction Correct answer.

Explanation

Plate, make, model, color, and direction of travel allow responders to identify and locate the moving vehicle. Maintenance history and opinions do not assist in locating it. Direction of travel is especially important because the vehicle may cross jurisdictions.

Question 19Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller whispers that someone is breaking into the house and cannot speak freely. What is the best questioning approach?

  1. Ask long, open-ended questions requiring detailed answers
  2. Tell the caller to speak normally so the recording is clear
  3. Ask the caller to go and check the doors and windows
  4. Ask short yes-or-no questions and have the caller tap Correct answer.

Explanation

Short yes-or-no questions let a caller respond without being overheard, and tapping can confirm details when whispering is unsafe. Sending the caller to check doors exposes them to danger. The telecommunicator should keep questions simple and focused on safety.

Question 20Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

On a medical call, which two observations should the telecommunicator establish early?

  1. The caller's insurance and pharmacy
  2. Whether the patient is conscious and breathing Correct answer.
  3. The patient's travel plans and diet
  4. The patient's occupation and hobbies

Explanation

Consciousness and breathing are immediate life threats that determine the urgency of response and whether pre-arrival instructions are needed. Insurance, diet, occupation, and hobbies do not guide the initial medical priority. These two observations anchor the rest of the medical interview.

Question 21Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

Information about an incident is incomplete, but the caller describes a possible immediate threat. How should the telecommunicator decide on the response?

  1. Wait until every question has been answered before dispatching
  2. Classify the call as non-emergency because the facts are unclear
  3. Ask the caller to call back once the situation is clearer
  4. Err on the side of caution and dispatch now Correct answer.

Explanation

When there is a credible possibility of immediate danger, protective action should not be delayed for complete information. Additional details can be gathered while responders are en route. The risk of waiting generally outweighs the cost of a cautious response.

Question 22Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller becomes hostile and refuses to answer questions. Which approach is most likely to keep the interview productive?

  1. Threaten the caller with legal consequences
  2. Hang up and mark the call as unfounded
  3. Argue with the caller about the importance of cooperation
  4. Stay neutral and ask one question at a time Correct answer.

Explanation

Remaining neutral and asking one question at a time reduces confrontation and gives the caller a clear, manageable request. Arguing, threatening, or hanging up usually ends the flow of information. The telecommunicator's goal is to keep the caller talking long enough to identify the need.

Question 23Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

During a report of an active shooter, which information should the telecommunicator try to obtain while advising the caller to take cover?

  1. The shooter's location and direction of movement Correct answer.
  2. The caller's opinion of the building's security
  3. The number of years the caller has worked in the building
  4. The caller's full employment history

Explanation

Responders need the shooter's current location, appearance, and direction of movement to intervene and to warn others. The caller should be advised to shelter and stay on the line, while background details are secondary. Current threat information guides the tactical response.

Question 24Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A young child calls and says a parent will not wake up. Which technique is most appropriate?

  1. Transfer the call to a non-emergency line
  2. Use simple words, reassure the child, and ask short questions Correct answer.
  3. Ask the child to perform a complex sequence of instructions
  4. Use adult medical terminology so the child learns the correct words

Explanation

Children can provide useful information when questions are brief and concrete, and reassurance helps them stay on the line. Complex terminology or multi-step instructions may confuse a child. The telecommunicator should focus on breathing and responsiveness in simple terms.

Question 25Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

New information during a call suggests a higher level of danger than first reported. What should the telecommunicator do?

  1. Update the call priority and notify responding units Correct answer.
  2. Keep the original priority to avoid confusing responders
  3. End the call and start a new incident report
  4. Wait for the scene to stabilize before making any change

Explanation

Call classification is dynamic; when facts change, the priority and the information given to responders should be updated. Holding outdated information can endanger responders and the public. The existing call record can be updated without starting over.

Question 26Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

Why should a telecommunicator confirm a caller's callback number early in an emergency call?

  1. To determine whether the caller is using a mobile phone or a landline
  2. To record the caller's billing address for the incident report
  3. To decide which agency has legal authority over the incident
  4. To allow responders to recontact the caller if the line disconnects Correct answer.

Explanation

A confirmed callback number preserves contact if the call drops and allows responders or investigators to obtain follow-up information. It should be collected early but without delaying urgent location and safety questions. The callback number does not establish jurisdiction or billing responsibility.

Question 27Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports smoke filling an apartment hallway and says neighbors may still be inside. What should the telecommunicator advise the caller to do while units respond?

  1. Open hallway windows to let the smoke clear
  2. Wait in the apartment until firefighters arrive
  3. Exit by the nearest safe route and remain outside Correct answer.
  4. Knock on nearby doors to warn neighbors before leaving

Explanation

Life safety comes first, so a caller with a safe exit should leave the building and stay out of the way of responders. Telecommunicators should not direct untrained callers into smoke-filled areas to warn others. If escape becomes impossible, the caller should be advised to seal into a room and report the location.

Question 28Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller says the emergency is "by the old Walmart" but cannot provide an address. What should the telecommunicator do?

  1. Instruct the caller to drive to a police station
  2. Ask the caller to send a photo by text
  3. Ask for cross streets and nearby landmarks Correct answer.
  4. Rely only on the enhanced 911 location

Explanation

Landmarks and cross streets help translate an informal description into a usable location for responders. Enhanced 911 location is helpful but may be imprecise, especially indoors or on a large property. The telecommunicator should keep asking simple location questions until a specific place is identified.

Question 29Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports a suspicious person near a school but gives no details. Which question best establishes whether officers need to respond urgently?

  1. How old would you estimate the person is?
  2. What is the person doing right now? Correct answer.
  3. Is the person known to you by name?
  4. What color clothing is the person wearing?

Explanation

Current behavior is the key factor in judging whether a person presents an immediate threat or merely looks out of place. Description and identity details are useful, but they do not establish urgency as directly as behavior. The telecommunicator should then obtain location and description for responding officers.

Question 30Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports a two-car crash and says one driver is slumped over the wheel. Which information should the telecommunicator obtain first?

  1. Whether the driver is breathing and the scene is safe Correct answer.
  2. The exact speed each vehicle was traveling before impact
  3. Whether either driver has current insurance coverage
  4. The registration number of the damaged vehicles

Explanation

Immediate life threats and scene hazards determine the emergency response, so breathing status and safety should be established first. Insurance, speed, and registration details are secondary and can be gathered later if needed. The telecommunicator should also confirm the exact crash location and whether traffic is still exposed.

Question 31Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller says a friend has threatened suicide and is holding a knife. Which approach is best for the telecommunicator?

  1. Ask calmly about weapons, location, and who is present Correct answer.
  2. Avoid asking about suicide so the idea is not planted
  3. Transfer the call before gathering any details
  4. Instruct the caller to take the knife away immediately

Explanation

Direct, calm questions about means, location, and immediate danger help determine the response and do not increase suicide risk. The caller should not be told to physically disarm someone, because that may provoke violence. Details should be gathered while keeping the caller safe and on the line when possible.

Question 32Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller first describes a fleeing suspect as wearing a red shirt, then later says it was blue. What should the telecommunicator do?

  1. Record both descriptions and the time each was given Correct answer.
  2. Tell the caller to decide which color is correct
  3. Omit clothing from the broadcast to avoid confusion
  4. Use only the first description because it is more reliable

Explanation

A caller's memory may change under stress, and both versions can be useful to officers who are searching. Recording each description with a timestamp preserves the information without forcing the caller to choose. The telecommunicator can calmly ask clarifying questions without accusing the caller of lying.

Question 33Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller reports a violent assault but refuses to give a name or stay on the line. What should the telecommunicator prioritize?

  1. End the call because the caller will not cooperate
  2. Get the location and immediate danger details first Correct answer.
  3. Explain that anonymous reports are never investigated
  4. Require the caller's name before dispatching any units

Explanation

The safety of the victim and responders depends on accurate location and threat information, so those details take priority over the caller's identity. Many agencies accept anonymous reports, and the telecommunicator can explain confidentiality without making demands. Identity and callback information can be requested later if the caller is willing.

Question 34Call Processing and Interviewing Techniques

A caller is following a car whose driver just committed a robbery. What instruction should the telecommunicator give?

  1. Stay back and provide direction, road, and landmarks Correct answer.
  2. Follow closely so the plate can be read clearly
  3. Pull in front of the vehicle to make it stop
  4. Stop following and return home immediately

Explanation

A caller following a suspect should be told to keep a safe distance and act only as a witness, not as an enforcer. Continuous updates about direction, road names, and landmarks help officers locate the vehicle. The telecommunicator should discourage any action that could provoke a confrontation.

Question 35Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Which word is the standard phonetic alphabet designator for the letter K?

  1. King
  2. Kentucky
  3. Kilo Correct answer.
  4. Kite

Explanation

The ITU/NATO phonetic alphabet assigns Kilo to the letter K. Telecommunicators use this alphabet to prevent letters from being misheard during radio transmissions. The other words begin with K but are not the standard designator.

Question 36Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

On a public safety radio, the number nine is commonly pronounced "niner" to...

  1. indicate that the number will be repeated
  2. show that the number is a priority message
  3. avoid confusion with similar sounds Correct answer.
  4. identify the transmitting unit as mobile

Explanation

"Niner" is used because "nine" can sound like "five" in static and to avoid confusion with the German word "nein." It is a pronunciation convention, not a priority, unit-status, or repetition indicator.

Question 37Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Which procedure word tells the listener that the sender has finished transmitting and expects a response?

  1. Copy
  2. Out
  3. Over Correct answer.
  4. Break

Explanation

"Over" ends a transmission when a reply is expected, while "out" ends it with no reply expected. "Copy" acknowledges receipt, and "break" separates parts of a message.

Question 38Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

A unit transmits "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday." This signal indicates...

  1. grave and immediate danger Correct answer.
  2. a test of the emergency alert tone
  3. a request for a telephone patch
  4. a routine radio check of signal strength

Explanation

"Mayday" is the international distress signal for grave and imminent danger, often a life-threatening situation. It takes priority over routine traffic and should not be used for tests or routine requests.

Question 39Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Under national interoperability guidance, dispatchers and responders should use plain language because it...

  1. keeps every transmission shorter than coded speech
  2. eliminates the need for unit identifiers
  3. prevents scanner listeners from hearing details
  4. reduces confusion across agencies Correct answer.

Explanation

Plain language, also called clear text, uses common words instead of agency-specific codes so responders from different agencies can understand each other. It supports multiagency incidents. It does not by itself shorten traffic, block scanners, or replace unit identification.

Question 40Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

A field unit beginning a radio transmission to dispatch should first...

  1. ask whether the channel is clear
  2. state its location
  3. identify itself by call sign Correct answer.
  4. give the incident number

Explanation

Standard radio discipline begins with identifying the calling unit so the dispatcher knows who is transmitting. Location, incident number, and other details follow after contact is established.

Question 41Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Dispatch asks a unit for a radio check. Which reply best reports that the signal is strong and readable?

  1. Loud and clear Correct answer.
  2. Standby
  3. Unit is en route
  4. Ten-four

Explanation

"Loud and clear" reports both signal strength and readability. A radio check asks about communications quality, not unit status or simple acknowledgment.

Question 42Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Which phrase should a telecommunicator use to ask a unit to repeat its last transmission?

  1. Say again Correct answer.
  2. Go ahead
  3. Come back
  4. Repeat your traffic

Explanation

"Say again" is the standard procedure phrase for requesting a repeat. "Repeat" can have a separate tactical meaning in some services and is avoided on public safety radio.

Question 43Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

A unit needs the channel for a life-threatening emergency. What should the telecommunicator do first?

  1. Log the request and continue routine traffic
  2. Ask every unit to move to another channel
  3. Tell the unit to call by telephone
  4. Clear the channel for emergency traffic Correct answer.

Explanation

Emergency traffic has priority over routine transmissions. The telecommunicator should clear the channel so the emergency unit can pass critical information without delay.

Question 44Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

What is the primary purpose of a radio repeater?

  1. To extend radio coverage Correct answer.
  2. To record all channel traffic
  3. To scramble audio for privacy
  4. To assign talkgroups automatically

Explanation

A repeater receives a weaker signal on one frequency and retransmits it on another, usually from a high site, extending coverage. Encryption, logging, and talkgroup assignment are separate functions.

Question 45Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Units that communicate directly on the same frequency without using a repeater are operating in what mode?

  1. Multi-channel patch mode
  2. Simplex or talkaround Correct answer.
  3. Full-duplex repeater mode
  4. Trunked system mode

Explanation

Simplex, often called talkaround, uses direct unit-to-unit communication on a shared frequency without repeater infrastructure. It is useful when units are close together or outside repeater coverage.

Question 46Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

On a trunked radio system, a talkgroup is best described as...

  1. a fixed frequency pair assigned to one unit
  2. a written log of transmitted messages
  3. a logical group of users Correct answer.
  4. a physical repeater site location

Explanation

A talkgroup is a logical grouping that lets selected users hear each other, while the trunked system assigns available voice channels as needed. It is not a fixed frequency or a single unit.

Question 47Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Dispatch receives four calls at once. Which should generally be dispatched first?

  1. A report of a past-tense property theft
  2. A request for a parking complaint
  3. A lost animal call
  4. A cardiac arrest with CPR in progress Correct answer.

Explanation

Calls are prioritized by threat to life and need for immediate intervention. A cardiac arrest with CPR in progress is a life-threatening emergency and outranks property, nuisance, and animal calls.

Question 48Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

After receiving a call assignment, a unit transmits "Unit 12 en route." This status means the unit...

  1. has cleared the call
  2. is unavailable for the rest of the shift
  3. is traveling to the assigned location Correct answer.
  4. has arrived at the scene

Explanation

"En route" means the unit has acknowledged the assignment and is traveling to the scene. Arrival is reported as "on scene" or "at scene."

Question 49Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

In radio status terms, a unit that reports "in service" is...

  1. at the hospital for a prisoner check
  2. out of service for vehicle maintenance
  3. on a scheduled meal break
  4. available for assignment Correct answer.

Explanation

"In service" means the unit is available and able to accept assignments. Units out of service for fuel, meals, or maintenance should report that status instead.

Question 50Radio Communications and Dispatch Procedures

Which item is most important to include when broadcasting a BOLO for a fleeing vehicle?

  1. Vehicle description and direction Correct answer.
  2. The name of the officer who requested the alert
  3. The dispatcher's current shift assignment number
  4. The radio channel and repeater identifier

Explanation

A BOLO should give enough detail for others to recognize and safely act, especially the vehicle description and direction of travel, along with caution information. Administrative details are secondary.