PA POST flashcards
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35 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Probable cause
- Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable officer to believe an offense has been committed and that a particular person committed it.
- Reasonable suspicion
- Specific and articulable facts suggesting criminal activity that justify a brief investigative detention under Terry v. Ohio.
- Custodial interrogation
- Questioning by police after arrest or when a reasonable person would not feel free to leave, triggering the Miranda requirement.
- Exclusionary rule
- The rule suppressing evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches or seizures, subject to recognized exceptions such as inevitable discovery.
- Implied consent
- The legal principle that a licensed driver is deemed to consent to chemical testing when suspected of DUI; refusal triggers civil suspension.
- Move Over law
- A requirement that drivers move to a non-adjacent lane or slow down when approaching an emergency response area with flashing lights.
- DUI high rate
- A Pennsylvania DUI grading category for a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 to 0.159, carrying enhanced penalties over general impairment.
- Chain of custody
- A documented record of every transfer and location of evidence from collection through trial, used to establish integrity.
- Biological evidence drying
- The practice of air-drying items containing blood or other biological material before packaging to prevent degradation and mold growth.
- Latent print powder
- A development method for fingerprints on non-porous surfaces such as glass or metal, applied with a brush and lifted with tape.
- Reactionary gap
- The distance of roughly six to eight feet that gives an officer time to perceive and respond to an imminent assault.
- High-risk stop
- A vehicle stop using cover, distance, and loud verbal commands, removing occupants one at a time before approaching.
- Primary aggressor
- In a domestic disturbance, the person identified by injury severity, fear, history, and self-defense analysis as the predominant attacker.
- Graham v. Connor
- The Supreme Court decision holding that use of force is judged by objective reasonableness under the totality of the circumstances.
- Deadly force standard
- Force reasonably believed necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person.
- Duty to intervene
- An officer's obligation to stop excessive force by another officer when in a position to do so and to report the conduct.
- Search incident to arrest
- A warrantless search of the arrestee's person and immediate reach, justified by officer safety and preservation of evidence.
- Plain view doctrine
- Permits seizure of evidence when an officer is lawfully present, the item's incriminating character is immediately apparent, and the officer has lawful access.
- Qualified immunity
- Protection from civil liability unless the officer violated clearly established statutory or constitutional law of which a reasonable officer would have known.
- Procedural justice
- The framework of voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives that shapes public perceptions of police legitimacy and cooperation.
- Crisis de-escalation
- Reducing stimuli, limiting officers in view, and using one communicator to lower agitation during a behavioral health encounter.
- Mental Health Procedures Act
- Pennsylvania law permitting emergency examination and involuntary commitment when a person poses a clear and present danger.
- Affidavit of probable cause
- A sworn written statement of facts supporting an arrest or search warrant, reviewed on its four corners by a magistrate.
- Report element coverage
- The practice of ensuring the narrative states facts supporting each element of the charged offense so the report supports the charge.
- Report correction method
- Drawing a single line through an error, initialing and dating it, rather than obliterating or whiting out text.
- Due regard requirement
- The continuing duty of an emergency vehicle operator to drive with care for others even when exercising emergency privileges.
- Two-second rule
- A following-distance guideline counting seconds between the lead vehicle passing a fixed point and the patrol vehicle reaching it.
- Pursuit termination
- Ending a vehicle pursuit when the risk to the public outweighs the need for apprehension, as required by policy.
- Adult CPR ratio
- Chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute, at least two inches deep, with 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
- AED sequence
- Turn on the device, apply pads to the bare chest, clear everyone before analysis and shock, then resume compressions immediately.
- Tourniquet placement
- Applying a tourniquet two to three inches above a severe extremity wound when direct pressure fails, noting the application time.
- Brady disclosure
- The constitutional obligation to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense, established in Brady v. Maryland.
- Garrity protection
- Compelled administrative statements cannot be used against an officer criminally but may support departmental discipline.
- VO2 max
- The maximum rate of oxygen use during exercise, improved by regular aerobic training at 60 to 80 percent of maximum heart rate.
- Heat stroke signs
- Altered mental status and hot skin during exertion indicate a medical emergency requiring immediate cooling and EMS.