Police Sergeant Practice Exam

Upon arriving at a scene originally thought to be a robbery in progress, what should a sergeant instruct the officers to do if suspects have fled?

1. Conduct a further search

2. Report back to service

3. Set up a perimeter

4. Start collecting evidence

The correct answer is: Report back to service

In the scenario where suspects have fled the scene of a crime initially thought to be a robbery, the best course of action is for the sergeant to instruct the officers to set up a perimeter. This is crucial for several reasons. Establishing a perimeter allows law enforcement to contain the area and prevents suspects from escaping further away. By creating a boundary, the police can control who enters or exits the area, which is vital in ensuring that the suspects do not evade capture. A perimeter also provides a secure environment where additional investigative activities, such as gathering evidence and interviewing potential witnesses, can occur without the risk of interference. If officers were instructed to conduct a further search or collect evidence without establishing a perimeter first, they risk the potential for the suspects to escape beyond a recoverable distance. Reporting back to service would mean abandoning the area when there is still a chance of apprehending the suspects or securing significant evidence regarding the crime. Thus, the choice to set up a perimeter is not only strategic but essential in managing the scene effectively when suspects have already fled.