NH POST study guide
NH POST · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The New Hampshire Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification process is the state's mechanism for establishing that a candidate has met the entry-level training and testing standards required to serve as a law enforcement officer in New Hampshire. It is intended for recruits in academy or agency-based training programs, officers seeking certification or reciprocity, and candidates preparing for the written knowledge component of the certification process. The NH POST study guide has 10 sections and about 2,676 words.
01Criminal Law and Procedure
This domain tests your ability to apply New Hampshire's Criminal Code (RSA 625–651) and arrest rules to real calls. Expect questions on mental states, warrantless arrest authority, search incident to arrest, Miranda, and the exclusionary rule.
294 words, about 1 min02Constitutional Law and Civil Rights
This domain tests Fourth Amendment and New Hampshire Constitution Part I, Article 19 search-and-seizure rules, plus First, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment protections. Expect scenarios on warrants, consent, plain view, exigency, automobile searches, and equal protection.
312 words, about 2 min03Traffic Law and Enforcement
This domain tests New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Code enforcement: stop authority, speed and lane violations, reckless driving under RSA 265:79, and impaired driving under RSA 265-A. Expect questions on reasonable suspicion, probable cause, implied consent, and field sobriety testing.
301 words, about 2 min04Patrol Operations and Incident Response
This domain tests scene control, officer safety, domestic violence response, active-threat response, and medical aid. Expect questions on establishing command, containing a scene, communicating, and deciding when to arrest.
277 words, about 1 min05Criminal Investigation
This domain tests crime-scene preservation, interviews, evidence collection, chain of custody, search warrants, and probable cause. Expect questions on what to do first, how to document, and when a warrant is required.
278 words, about 1 min06Use of Force and Defensive Tactics
This domain tests the legal and tactical limits on force, including RSA 627:5, Graham v. Connor objective reasonableness, de-escalation, and deadly force.
266 words, about 1 min07Community Relations and Cultural Diversity
This domain tests procedural justice, bias-free policing, communication across cultures, and community trust. Expect questions on stops, language access, disability accommodation, and avoiding stereotypes.
238 words, about 1 min08Ethics and Professional Conduct
This domain tests truthfulness, integrity, duty to report misconduct, conflicts of interest, gratuities, and documentation. Expect questions on Brady/Giglio obligations and ethical decisions under pressure.
236 words, about 1 min09Emergency Vehicle Operations
This domain tests emergency driving privileges, due regard, pursuit decisions, and intersection safety. Expect questions on RSA 265:8 and agency policy.
255 words, about 1 min10Report Writing and Documentation
This domain tests clear, factual, complete reports that support probable cause and survive cross-examination. Expect questions on elements of the offense, chronology, objectivity, and corrections.
219 words, about 1 min