Maldives Police Aptitude Test key terms

A way of working in which officers build ongoing relationships with residents and local groups, share information, and solve recurring problems together instead of only responding to calls after incidents happen.

The public's belief that officers hold rightful authority and act fairly. It grows when people are treated with dignity, given a voice, and see decisions made by honest and neutral rules.

Fairness in how officers treat people and make decisions: giving a voice, being neutral, showing respect, and explaining reasons. It shapes whether people accept police actions even when they dislike the outcome.

Confidence that residents place in the police to protect them, act honestly, and use power responsibly. Trust is built slowly by consistent fair conduct and is easily damaged by misconduct or secrecy.

The idea that the community accepts police authority and cooperates voluntarily because it trusts the service. It depends on lawful, fair and transparent conduct rather than on force alone.

A group of residents who keep an eye on their area, report suspicious activity to police, and share safety information. It works best when coordinated with officers rather than acting independently.

Steps taken to stop crime before it occurs, such as improving lighting, securing property, educating residents, and addressing conditions that attract offenders. It is a core aim of community policing.

An approach that scans for recurring crime or disorder problems, analyses their causes, responds with tailored measures, and then assesses whether the response worked.

An officer assigned to maintain regular contact with residents, schools, councils and businesses, passing information both ways and helping address local concerns before they escalate.

Criticising how a person speaks, for example calling them rude or angry, instead of addressing their concern. Officers should focus on conduct and facts, not on the manner of a complaint.

When a witness to harassment, violence or an emergency takes safe action, such as calling police, alerting staff, or distracting an offender, rather than staying silent.

A scam message, often by email, SMS or social media, that pretends to be from a bank, delivery firm or government office to trick the recipient into revealing passwords or money.

Manipulating people into giving away confidential information or access by exploiting trust, fear or urgency. It targets the person rather than the computer system.

Criminal activity that uses computers, networks or the internet, such as hacking, online fraud, identity theft, online harassment or distributing illegal material.

Information stored or transmitted in digital form, such as messages, photographs, call records, login logs or files, that can be used to prove facts in an investigation.

A written record showing who handled an item of evidence, when, and where, from seizure to court. Gaps or unclear entries can make evidence unreliable or inadmissible.

Making an exact, verified copy of a device's storage so that investigators can examine the copy while preserving the original. The copy is hashed to prove it is unchanged.

A short digital fingerprint calculated from a file or disk image. If the file changes, the hash changes, so it is used to show evidence has not been altered.

Trying usernames and passwords stolen from one service on other websites, hoping people reuse the same login. It succeeds because many users repeat passwords across accounts.

Software installed without proper consent that secretly monitors activity, captures keystrokes or messages, or takes control of a device. It is often spread through malicious links or attachments.

Repeated harmful behaviour through digital channels, such as threats, harassment, spreading rumours or sharing private images. It can be a criminal matter as well as a safeguarding issue.

Rules and practices that control how personal information is collected, stored, shared and destroyed. Officers must handle victims' and suspects' data lawfully and only for proper purposes.

An incident on a road involving at least one vehicle that causes injury or damage. The term is preferred to accident because it does not assume no one was at fault.

The legal requirement that a driver involved in a collision must stop, give details, and report the incident to police where required, rather than driving away.

A collision in which a driver leaves the scene without stopping, giving details or reporting as the law requires. It is treated as a serious traffic offence.

A written record of a road incident covering time, place, vehicles, drivers, injuries, witnesses, road and weather conditions, and any suspected offences. It supports later investigation and insurance claims.

Driving while over the legal alcohol limit or while impaired by alcohol. It is detected by breath or blood testing and is a leading cause of serious collisions.

Reduced ability to drive safely caused by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, illness or medication. Signs include erratic speed, poor lane position, slow reactions and confusion.

Standard roadside checks, such as following a moving object or walking a line, used to assess whether a driver may be impaired. Results support but do not replace evidential testing.

Police action to ensure drivers and passengers wear seat belts and children use proper restraints. It is a low-cost, high-impact way to reduce deaths and serious injuries.

Officers trained to work with visitors, handling thefts, lost documents, scams and safety concerns while understanding language and cultural barriers. They often work in resorts and arrival points.

Short guidance given to tourists about local risks, such as currents, heat, transport rules and common scams, and how to contact police or emergency services.

A small card or digital note giving police, ambulance and coastguard numbers plus the hotel address, so a visitor can get help quickly when stressed or without local language.

Practical and emotional help given to people harmed by crime, such as information, referral to services, and help with statements and court. It is essential for visitors far from home.

The initial written record of a complaint or report made to police, setting out who reported it, what is alleged, when and where. It starts the formal investigation process.

A signed account of what a witness saw, heard or knows, recorded in their own words as far as possible, with time, date and identity details. It may be used in court.

A running record of all items seized or received in an investigation, noting description, place found, time, and who took possession. It supports the chain of custody.

The organised collection of documents, statements, exhibits and reports for one investigation. It must be complete and accurate so prosecutors and courts can rely on it.