AZ POST cheat sheet

Fourth Amendment: a warrant requires probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and must particularly describe the place to be searched and persons or things to be seized.

Arizona Constitution Article II, Section 8 independently protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and has been interpreted to exceed federal protections in some contexts.

Miranda warnings are required before custodial interrogation: right to remain silent, statements may be used against you, right to counsel, and appointed counsel if indigent.

Terry stop: reasonable suspicion requires specific, articulable facts, not a mere hunch; a protective frisk requires reasonable suspicion the person is armed and dangerous.

Probable cause exists when facts and circumstances would lead a reasonable officer to believe an offense has been committed and the person to be arrested committed it.

Exclusionary rule bars evidence obtained through unconstitutional conduct; exceptions include independent source, inevitable discovery, and attenuation.

Arizona offense classes: felonies (Class 1-6), misdemeanors (Class 1-3), and petty offenses; class determines statutory range and collateral consequences.

Graham v. Connor evaluates force by objective reasonableness under the totality of circumstances, including severity of crime, immediate threat, and active resistance.

Use clear-text radio communication when possible; 10-codes and signals vary between agencies and can cause misunderstanding during mutual-aid incidents.

Arizona's Move Over law requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights to move over if safe or slow down and proceed with caution.

Arizona implied consent: a driver arrested for DUI is deemed to consent to specified tests; refusal can result in license suspension and special hearing procedures.

Arizona DUI per se thresholds: 0.08 BAC for adults 21+, 0.04 for commercial drivers, and any detectable alcohol for drivers under 21 under the zero-tolerance law.

Domestic violence arrest in Arizona: officers shall arrest when probable cause exists and there is evidence of physical injury or a weapon was used or displayed; otherwise arrest is discretionary under statute.

Traffic stop tactics: select a safe location, advise dispatch of location and plate, and use offset positioning to create a buffer from traffic.

Before a high-risk stop, establish cover, issue clear commands one at a time, and coordinate cover officers and lethal coverage.

Field interviews should document time, location, identity, demeanor, statements, and the specific facts supporting reasonable suspicion.

Chain of custody documents each transfer of evidence, including who collected, handled, transported, and stored it, to establish integrity and prevent tampering.

Secure and stabilize the scene first; then photograph before moving items, document with notes and sketches, and collect evidence in a logical sequence.

Biological evidence should be air-dried, packaged in breathable containers, and kept out of direct heat to preserve DNA and prevent degradation.

Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered for its truth; exceptions include excited utterance, present sense impression, and statements for medical diagnosis.

Field show-up identification should occur promptly and near the scene, with admonition that the subject may or may not be the suspect and that the witness need not identify anyone.

SARA problem-solving model: Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment; it structures repeated review of recurring community problems.

Robbery requires taking property from a person by force or fear; burglary requires unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a felony or theft.

Brady requires disclosure of exculpatory evidence; Giglio extends disclosure to impeachment evidence about officer credibility.

Active listening skills include open-ended questions, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, summarizing, and using silence to encourage elaboration.

Procedural justice elements: giving voice, neutral decision-making, respectful treatment, and trustworthy motives.

De-escalation uses time, distance, cover, communication, and resource coordination to reduce the intensity of an encounter when feasible.

Crisis communication: use a calm tone, simple sentences, one speaker, and avoid arguing with delusions; ask about immediate needs and safety.

Victim-centered domestic violence response includes safety planning, documenting prior incidents, explaining protective orders, and connecting to resources.

ADA requires effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing persons, including qualified interpreters or auxiliary aids as needed.

Cultural awareness: avoid stereotyping, consider language barriers, and verify understanding through teach-back rather than assuming comprehension.

When interviewing a person with limited English proficiency, use a qualified interpreter, not a family member or bystander, for official statements.

Reactionary gap: maintain distance and cover; the Tueller principle notes a person with an edged weapon can close about 21 feet in roughly 1.5 seconds.

Contact/cover principle: one officer communicates and controls while the other provides security and overwatch; roles are assigned before contact.

Handcuffing: apply double lock, check for tightness and circulation, and search before and after cuffing for weapons and contraband.

Cover stops bullets; concealment hides but does not stop projectiles. Choose cover and avoid silhouetting behind vehicles.

Weapon retention: maintain control of the duty weapon during close-quarters encounters and create distance when a disarm attempt occurs.

Tourniquet application: place high and tight on the limb, tighten until bleeding stops, and note the time applied for medical personnel.

Stress response may include tachycardia, auditory exclusion, tunnel vision, and fine-motor degradation; training and breathing help manage effects.

High-risk prone search: control the subject's arms, maintain cover officer, and search systematically from head to feet before turning the subject over.