NC POST cheat sheet

The Fourth Amendment protects persons, houses, papers, and effects from unreasonable searches and seizures; a warrant requires probable cause, oath or affirmation, and particular description.

A Terry stop requires reasonable suspicion supported by specific, articulable facts; a frisk requires separate reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous.

Miranda warnings are triggered by custody plus interrogation; routine booking questions and spontaneous statements generally do not require warnings.

The exclusionary rule suppresses evidence obtained through unreasonable searches or seizures, subject to exceptions including good faith, consent, inevitable discovery, and attenuation.

In North Carolina, a warrantless misdemeanor arrest generally requires that the offense occur in the officer's presence, subject to statutory exceptions such as domestic violence.

A search incident to lawful arrest may cover the arrestee's person and the area within immediate control; vehicle scope is limited to the passenger compartment when the arrestee is unsecured and within reaching distance or evidence of the offense is likely present.

Consent must be voluntary and is limited by the scope granted; the person granting consent may withdraw it at any time.

Chain of custody documents each transfer of evidence; unexplained gaps affect admissibility and weight.

A traffic stop requires reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or other criminal activity; the stop ends when its purpose is resolved unless new reasonable suspicion develops.

Position the patrol vehicle offset to the traffic lane, activate emergency lights, and notify dispatch of the stop location and plate before approaching.

Approach on the passenger side when practical to reduce exposure to passing traffic; maintain observation of the vehicle and occupants.

A high-risk vehicle stop uses backup, cover, and PA commands; occupants are controlled before officers approach the vehicle.

At a felony stop, one officer gives clear commands for occupants to show hands, exit one at a time, walk backward, and be restrained while other officers provide cover.

A vehicle inventory is conducted according to written policy and is not a search for evidence; items found in plain view during a lawful inventory may be seized if contraband.

Checkpoints must use neutral criteria, follow a written operational plan, and be supervised; arbitrary or pretextual stops violate reasonable suspicion requirements.

Directed patrol and saturation patrol concentrate resources on identified hot spots rather than random patrol.

The first responder secures the scene, preserves evidence, renders aid, and limits entry; unauthorized persons contaminate the scene.

Photograph the scene before moving items; include overview, mid-range, and close-up images with a scale.

Sketches use measurements from fixed reference points; record evidence locations, dimensions, and conditions.

Package wet or biological evidence in paper to allow drying; avoid cross-contamination and label each item.

Chain of custody records every handler, date, time, and purpose; gaps can affect admissibility and weight.

Interview witnesses separately using open-ended questions; avoid leading questions and record exact words for admissions.

Eyewitness lineups should be administered blind when practicable, use fillers matching the witness description, and include unbiased instructions.

Digital evidence should be preserved with hash values and metadata; document capture, transfer, and storage.

North Carolina's basic speed law requires speed reasonable and prudent for conditions; posted prima facie limits do not authorize unsafe speed in rain, fog, traffic, or poor visibility.

The NC statutory maximum is 65 mph unless a higher limit is posted on qualifying controlled-access highways; posted limits control.

Following too closely violates G.S. 20-152 when the driver cannot stop safely if the lead vehicle slows suddenly.

DWI per se in North Carolina is an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more; commercial drivers are held to 0.04 and drivers under 21 face zero-tolerance rules.

Implied consent law requires a driver to submit to a chemical test after lawful arrest for DWI; refusal leads to license revocation and can be used as evidence.

Minimum skid speed in mph is estimated as S = sqrt(30 x d x f), where d is skid distance in feet and f is drag factor.

Distance traveled in feet equals 1.47 x speed in mph x time in seconds.

Distinguish point of impact from final rest; debris, skid marks, and vehicle damage help reconstruct the collision sequence.

Graham v. Connor applies objective reasonableness under the totality of circumstances from the officer's perspective at the moment force is used.

Relevant force factors include the severity of the offense, immediate threat to officers or others, and active resistance or flight.

Deadly force is constitutionally limited to preventing imminent death or serious bodily injury; Tennessee v. Garner bars deadly force against a non-dangerous fleeing felon.

Officers have a duty to intervene when witnessing excessive force and to report the conduct.

After force is used, render aid, monitor breathing, and summon medical assistance.

Positional asphyxia risk increases when restraint impairs chest expansion; place the person in a recovery position and monitor breathing.

Cover stops bullets; concealment hides but does not stop projectiles.

Less-lethal tools target large muscle groups; avoid head, neck, and chest impact when practicable.

Procedural justice rests on voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives; perceived fairness increases compliance and cooperation.

The SARA model is Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment for problem-solving policing.

Community policing combines partnerships, problem solving, and organizational transformation.

Bias-free policing requires decisions based on behavior and articulable facts, not race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics.

For a mental health crisis, reduce stimuli, use calm communication, allow time, and connect the person to treatment when safe.

Language access requires qualified interpreters for limited-English-proficient persons; do not rely on children or bystanders for critical communication.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design uses natural surveillance, access control, and territorial reinforcement.

A fair complaint process includes accessible reporting, objective investigation, and notification of disposition.

Reports answer who, what, when, where, why, and how in chronological order.

Report observable facts and direct statements rather than conclusions; describe actions and conditions precisely.

Record exact words for admissions, threats, and statements; use quotation marks.

A radio broadcast identifies the unit, location, nature of the incident, and resources needed, then remains concise.

NCIC and other criminal justice database information is confidential and may not be released to unauthorized persons.

Correct paper reports with a single line through the error, initial and date it, and write the correction; do not obliterate or use correction fluid.

Each element of the offense should be supported by facts in the report and linked to evidence or witnesses.

Field notes are discoverable and should be retained according to agency policy.

The three-second following rule applies in ideal conditions; increase distance at night, in rain, or when towing.

With ABS, apply firm continuous brake pressure and steer; do not pump the pedal.

Weight transfer affects steering and braking; sudden inputs reduce traction and control.

At intersections, scan left-right-left and clear the intersection before proceeding, even with emergency equipment activated.

Emergency vehicle operators may exceed normal traffic rules only when necessary and must still exercise due regard for public safety.

A pursuit should terminate when the risk to the public and officers outweighs the need for immediate apprehension; supervisors control and document the decision.

Seat belts are required for officers operating or riding in department vehicles.

Hydration, sleep, and conditioning support decision-making and physical performance during foot pursuits and resistance.

Scene safety, PPE, informed consent, and activation of EMS precede patient care.

Adult CPR uses 30 compressions to 2 breaths at 100 to 120 per minute, with compressions 2 to 2.4 inches deep.

An AED should be applied as soon as available and used with minimal interruption of compressions.

Life-threatening limb bleeding is controlled with direct pressure and, if needed, a tourniquet 2 to 3 inches above the wound, not over a joint.

Shock care includes laying the patient flat, keeping the patient warm, and avoiding food or drink.

Opioid overdose responds to naloxone plus rescue breathing and EMS activation.

Stroke recognition uses BE-FAST: balance, eyes, face droop, arm weakness, speech, and time last known well.

Suspected spinal injury requires manual stabilization and minimal movement unless immediate danger exists.

North Carolina's Raise the Age law generally treats 16- and 17-year-olds as juveniles for lower-level offenses, while serious felonies remain in adult court under transfer rules.

Custodial interrogation of a juvenile requires Miranda warnings plus NC-specific protections, including an opportunity for a parent or guardian to be present.

North Carolina law requires mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services.

The ADA requires effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including qualified interpreters for interrogations and medical consent.

For a person with autism, reduce sensory stimuli, use clear literal language, and avoid unnecessary touch.

For a person with dementia, identify yourself, reassure the person, and involve caregivers when possible.

Human trafficking indicators include control of movement, debt bondage, fear, isolation, and lack of identification documents.

Juvenile detention decisions should consider age, offense severity, risk, and available alternatives to secure custody.