ND POST key terms

A reasonable belief, based on specific facts and circumstances, that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed, or that evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.

A lower standard than probable cause in which specific, articulable facts suggest criminal activity is afoot, justifying a brief investigative stop or frisk.

A brief detention based on reasonable suspicion during which an officer may investigate and, if warranted by safety concerns, conduct a limited pat-down for weapons.

The general rule that searches and seizures require a warrant supported by probable cause and issued by a neutral magistrate, subject to recognized exceptions.

Urgent conditions such as imminent danger to life, hot pursuit, or likely destruction of evidence that justify acting without a warrant.

The advisement of rights to silence and counsel that must precede custodial interrogation, with waiver required before statements may be used by the prosecution.

Questioning by law enforcement after a person has been taken into custody or deprived of freedom in a significant way, triggering the need for Miranda warnings.

Permits warrantless seizure of evidence when an officer is lawfully present, the incriminating character of the item is immediately apparent, and the officer has lawful access.

A warrantless search permitted when a person with authority voluntarily agrees, free from coercion, and the officer stays within the scope of the consent given.

A warrantless search of an arrestee's person and the area within immediate control, allowed to protect officer safety and prevent destruction of evidence.

A limited warrantless check of spaces where a person might be hiding, justified by safety concerns after a lawful arrest, not a full evidentiary search.

A validated battery typically including horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand, administered to detect impairment and support arrest decisions.

The legal principle that drivers, by operating a vehicle on public roads, consent in advance to chemical testing of breath, blood, or urine upon lawful arrest for impaired driving.

A roadside screening test used to estimate alcohol concentration and support probable cause, generally not admissible as the evidentiary test result itself.

A speed that is safe given traffic, road, weather, and visibility conditions, even where a posted limit is higher.

A posted maximum speed that is presumed lawful but may be rebutted by evidence that conditions made a lower speed necessary for safety.

Operating a vehicle so near another that a collision would be likely if the leading vehicle stopped suddenly, often evaluated against a time-gap rule.

A balanced, bladed body position with weapon-side control, enabling observation, communication, and movement while maintaining distance from a subject.

A two-officer tactic in which one officer handles communication and the other watches the subject and surroundings, avoiding divided attention.

The distance an officer maintains to allow time to perceive and respond to a sudden attack, commonly described as roughly six to eight feet.

A documented, unbroken record of who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence, supporting its authenticity and integrity in court.

Correctly sealing, labeling, and storing items so they are protected from contamination or loss, with details recorded at the time of collection.

Air-drying and packaging items such as blood or saliva in breathable containers, avoiding heat and moisture, then refrigerating or freezing as appropriate.

The introduction or transfer of material, including officer DNA or fingerprints, that can compromise evidence value and must be avoided and documented.

The use-of-force standard judging an officer's actions from the perspective of a reasonable officer on scene, considering the totality of circumstances known at the time.

Three considerations for judging force: the severity of the offense, the immediate threat to safety, and whether the subject was actively resisting or evading arrest.

The full set of facts and conditions known to the officer, evaluated together rather than in isolation, when assessing force or other decisions.

Techniques such as time, distance, cover, communication, and tactical repositioning used to reduce the need for force when safe and feasible.

A model pairing specially trained officers with community mental health partners to improve outcomes for people experiencing behavioral health crises.

A communication skill using paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, open questions, and summarizing to build rapport and gather information during a crisis.

A clear, chronological narrative of events in a report, including who, what, when, where, why, and how, without opinion or unsupported conclusions.

Recording facts, observations, and statements accurately, distinguishing direct observation from hearsay and avoiding biased or conclusory language.

A written narrative setting out specific facts that support an arrest, citation, or warrant application, sufficient for a neutral reviewer to evaluate.

Fairness in police interactions through voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives, which builds voluntary compliance and community trust.

A strategy of partnership between police and residents, emphasizing problem solving, communication, and prevention rather than enforcement alone.

Applying agency values, law, and policy to choose the right action, including recognizing and avoiding conflicts of interest and misconduct.

Driving an authorized emergency vehicle during a response while balancing speed, due regard for safety, and compliance with emergency-vehicle laws.

The continuing duty of an emergency driver to operate with reasonable care for the safety of others, even when lawfully exceeding normal traffic rules.

Procedures for safely clearing intersections and lanes, including slowing, using lights and siren, and confirming other drivers have yielded.

Chest compressions, with rescue breaths if trained, delivered to a person in cardiac arrest to maintain circulation until advanced care arrives.

A device that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock for certain arrest rhythms, used as soon as available with minimal interruption of compressions.

A side-lying position for an unresponsive person who is breathing, helping keep the airway open and reducing aspiration risk.

A controlled breathing technique used to lower physiological arousal, improve focus, and support decision-making during high-stress incidents.

Regular physical training, sleep, nutrition, and stress management that sustain performance and reduce injury and burnout risk.

State law providing that drivers consent to chemical testing after lawful arrest for impaired driving, with refusal carrying administrative license consequences.