Written comprehension questions hand you a short training notice, policy or incident report and ask which statement it supports. Everything you need is in the passage. Expect wrong options that sound like good police practice but that the text never says.
40Section III questions, four abilities
16practice questions here
What the passages look like
Section III mixes written comprehension with three other abilities, 40 items under one timer, and the handbook doesn't publish the split. The passages are short workplace documents:
Policies and procedures with numbered steps, conditions and exceptions.
Notices and memos: training deadlines, new forms, effective dates.
Reports: who did what, when, and in which order.
How to read them
Read the question line first. It tells you whether you're looking for a deadline, an exception or a step order.
Find the sentence that proves your answer. If you can't point to it, you're answering from experience.
Watch the qualifiers.All, only, at least and unless can flip an answer. An option that says always where the passage says usually is wrong.
Check dates and conditions together. A rule that applies "from October 1" or "for cases with a weapon" doesn't apply outside them.
Written comprehension questions
0 of 16 answered · 0 correct
Question 1 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following incident report and answer the question: 'On 11/08/2023 at 1340 hours, Correctional Officer Hale was screening incoming inmate mail in the Central Mail Room. A padded envelope addressed to inmate Marcus Bell, C-Pod, cell 14, contained a greeting card and three photographs. Officer Hale noticed that the card was thicker than normal. When she separated its layers, she found two strips of orange film concealed between the front cover and the inner page. The photographs and the envelope flap showed no signs of tampering. The return address listed a Gainesville post office box. Officer Hale photographed the items, secured them in a contraband bag, and notified Sergeant Voss at 1355 hours.'
According to the report, where was the contraband hidden?
Answer explanations
A
Correct: The strips were between the front cover and the inner page of the card.
B
Incorrect: The report never mentions the padded lining as a hiding place.
C
Incorrect: The envelope flap also showed no tampering.
D
Incorrect: The photographs showed no signs of tampering.
Question 2 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following license plate reader alert and answer the question: 'LPR ALERT, 08/25/2023, 14:37 hours: Florida tag ABC-123D read at southbound I-95, Mile Marker 278. Vehicle: white 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. Alert type: STOLEN VEHICLE, entry confirmed active by Central Dispatch. Registered owner: Melissa Johnson, Orlando. The vehicle was taken from Ms. Johnson in an armed carjacking in Orange County on 08/24/2023. Suspects: two males armed with handguns. Coordinate multiple units before attempting a stop.'
According to the alert, which statement is accurate?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Ms. Johnson is the victim of the carjacking, not a suspect.
B
Correct: The carjacking was on 08/24 and the plate was read on 08/25, one day later.
C
Incorrect: The read was at Mile Marker 278; 287 swaps the digits.
D
Incorrect: The alert says to coordinate multiple units before a stop.
Question 3 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following transport log and answer the question: 'On 02/08/2024 at 0615 hours, inmate Leon Marsh was scheduled for an outside medical appointment at Coastal General Hospital. Sergeant Webb assigned Correctional Officer Ames as the driver and Correctional Officer Pike as the escort officer responsible for the inmate at all times. Officer Chen was assigned to follow in a second vehicle. Marsh was searched by Officer Pike and placed in leg irons and a waist chain by Officer Ames. The vehicles departed at 0640 hours and arrived at 0712 hours. Officer Pike remained with Marsh in the examination room while Officer Ames stayed with the vehicle.'
According to the log, who was responsible for the inmate at all times?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Officer Ames was the driver and stayed with the vehicle.
B
Incorrect: Sergeant Webb made the assignments but did not go on the trip.
C
Correct: Officer Pike was assigned as the escort responsible for the inmate at all times.
D
Incorrect: Officer Chen followed in a second vehicle.
Question 4 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following crash report and answer the question: 'On 09/21/2023 at 1740 hours, Officer Lucas responded to a hit-and-run in the parking lot of Seaside Plaza. Victim Rosa Kent stated that she was loading groceries into her silver Nissan when a green pickup truck backing out of the next row struck her rear bumper. The pickup's driver got out, looked at the damage, and then drove away east on Coral Road. A second vehicle, a green Honda sedan, had stopped behind the pickup; its driver, Ian Fry, stayed and gave a statement. Ms. Kent recorded the pickup's partial tag as GKT-4.'
According to the report, which vehicle struck Ms. Kent's car and left the scene?
Answer explanations
A
Correct: The "pickup truck with a partial tag" of GKT-4 is the one that struck her car and drove off.
B
Incorrect: The silver Nissan is Ms. Kent's own car.
C
Incorrect: The Honda sedan stopped behind the pickup, and its driver stayed; the tag belongs to the pickup.
D
Incorrect: Ian Fry drove the Honda and stayed to give a statement; the pickup's driver is unknown.
Question 5 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following intelligence bulletin and answer the question: 'CREDIT CARD SKIMMING: The regional fraud task force has identified a group installing skimming devices at gas stations along major Central Florida highways. The suspects target the pumps furthest from the store and install devices between 0000 and 0500 hours. Suspect vehicles are dark-colored vans with temporary tags. The devices are installed inside the pump and cannot be seen from outside. Warning signs include tampered security tape, loose card readers, and Bluetooth signals named with random letters and numbers. Officers should advise attendants to inspect pumps frequently and check for broken security seals.'
According to the bulletin, which pumps do the suspects target?
Answer explanations
A
Correct: The suspects target the pumps furthest from the store.
B
Incorrect: Loose card readers are another warning sign, not the targeting rule.
C
Incorrect: Broken seals are a warning sign of a device, not how the pumps are chosen.
D
Incorrect: The bulletin names major highways but says nothing about pumps near an exit.
Question 6 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following policy and answer the question: 'CANINE POLICY 9.3.2: Canine teams may be deployed to track and apprehend a suspect when there is reasonable suspicion of a felony or violent misdemeanor and the suspect has fled from law enforcement. Before deployment the handler shall: 1) ensure the on-duty supervisor has approved the deployment; 2) establish a perimeter; 3) when feasible, give loud verbal warnings in English and Spanish that a police dog will be released if the suspect does not surrender; and 4) allow reasonable time for the suspect to surrender.'
A burglary suspect has fled into a warehouse. The supervisor has approved the deployment and a perimeter is set. What must the handler do next, if feasible?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Releasing the dog within seconds skips the Spanish warning and the reasonable time to surrender.
B
Incorrect: The policy does not require anyone to see the suspect before deployment.
C
Correct: Once approval and a perimeter are in place, the handler warns in English and Spanish when feasible and allows reasonable time to surrender.
D
Incorrect: Only the on-duty supervisor's approval is required, and it has already been given.
Question 7 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following incident report and answer the question: 'On 01/13/2024 at 1610 hours, loss-prevention officer Carla Mendez at the Bayside Market watched a woman in a green jacket place two packages of razor blades into her purse in aisle 7. The woman then picked up a bottle of shampoo, carried it in her hand to the front, and paid for the shampoo at register 3. She walked past the last point of sale without paying for the razor blades. Ms. Mendez stopped her outside the exit doors. Officer Pratt arrived at 1625 hours and recovered two packages of razor blades from the purse. A receipt in the purse showed only the shampoo purchase.'
According to the report, what did the woman conceal in her purse?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: The one bottle of shampoo was carried in her hand and paid for.
B
Incorrect: Two packages were seen and recovered, not "one pack."
C
Incorrect: There were not two bottles; she had one bottle of shampoo and paid for it.
D
Correct: Ms. Mendez saw "two packs" of razor blades go into the purse, and two were recovered.
Question 8 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following jail policy and answer the question: 'USE OF FORCE REPORTING 7.1: Every correctional officer who uses force on an inmate shall submit a written Use of Force Report before the end of his or her shift, and in no case later than one working day after the incident. Any employee who witnesses force shall submit a Witness Statement before leaving the facility that day. Any employee who witnesses force that appears excessive shall report it to the shift supervisor immediately, before completing any paperwork. Medical staff shall examine every inmate involved in a use of force within one hour.'
Correctional Officer Burke watches another officer slam a handcuffed, compliant inmate against a wall. According to the policy, what must Burke do first?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: The Witness Statement is still due that day, but it comes after the immediate report.
B
Incorrect: The Use of Force Report is for the officer who used force, not the witness.
C
Incorrect: The medical check is medical staff's duty, not the witness's first step.
D
Correct: Force that looks excessive must be reported to the shift supervisor immediately, before any paperwork.
Question 9 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following shift briefing and answer the question: 'SHIFT BRIEFING, 08/30/2023, Night Shift: 1) Multiple vehicle burglaries in the Oak Ridge subdivision last night between 0100 and 0400 hours; increase patrols there. 2) Jacob Reynolds, W/M, 32, has an outstanding warrant for felony battery. Last known address: 842 Maple Lane. He is known to frequent the Riverside Park area. Consider armed and dangerous. 3) Watch for a silver Honda Accord, partial tag BD8, involved in a gas drive-off at the gas station on University Boulevard. 4) Main Street between Oak and Pine is closed for water main repair until 0600.'
According to the briefing, where is Jacob Reynolds known to spend time?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: The Oak Ridge subdivision is the area hit by vehicle burglaries.
B
Incorrect: University Boulevard is where the gas drive-off took place.
C
Correct: The briefing says Reynolds is known to frequent the Riverside Park area.
D
Incorrect: 842 Maple Lane is his last known address, not where he spends time.
Question 10 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following press release and answer the question: 'The Marlin County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in identifying two suspects in a series of convenience store robberies along the I-95 corridor. The gunman is a white male, 20-30 years old, 5'8"-5'10", thin build, with a snake tattoo on his right forearm; he wears a dark hooded sweatshirt and a bandana over his face and displays a black semi-automatic handgun. The getaway driver is a heavyset white male with a spider-web tattoo on the right side of his neck who waits in a gray sedan. Anyone with information should contact Detective Sarah Jenkins.'
Where is the gunman's tattoo located?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: No hand tattoo is described for either suspect.
B
Incorrect: The left forearm is wrong; the snake tattoo is on the other arm.
C
Correct: The gunman's snake tattoo is "on his right forearm."
D
Incorrect: The neck tattoo belongs to the getaway driver.
Question 11 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following directive and answer the question: 'IDENTITY THEFT RESPONSE DIRECTIVE 4.7.2: Officers shall: 1) complete an Identity Theft Victim's Report (Form ID-100); 2) give the victim the Identity Theft Resource Packet; 3) determine jurisdiction based on the victim's residence, not where the compromised information was used; 4) submit completed reports to the Financial Crimes Unit within 24 hours; 5) for local suspects, coordinate with Financial Crimes detectives before any arrest.'
A woman who lives in Ocala reports that her stolen card number was used at a store in Orlando and billed by a bank based in Tampa. Under this directive, where is jurisdiction?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Where the bank is based is not a factor in the directive.
B
Incorrect: The suspect's location does not set jurisdiction under this directive.
C
Correct: The directive sets jurisdiction by the victim's residence, which is Ocala.
D
Incorrect: The directive specifically excludes the place where the information was used.
Question 12 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following incident report and answer the question: 'On 10/02/2023 at 0815 hours, Officer Ames responded to 412 Birch Lane regarding a burglary. The homeowner, Paul Hart, returned from a week-long trip and found the kitchen window open and the window screen lying in the flower bed. A television and a jewelry box were missing from the living room. Mr. Hart said he was sure the window had been locked when he left. A pry mark about two inches long was found on the outside of the window frame. Mr. Hart's neighbor said she saw a gray pickup in the driveway on Thursday but assumed it belonged to a repair company.'
Which statement is directly supported by the report rather than being an assumption?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Thursday is when the neighbor saw a truck, not a confirmed time of the burglary.
B
Incorrect: Entry through the kitchen window is likely, but it is concluded from the open window and screen, not seen.
C
Correct: The officer found the pry mark, so it is directly recorded.
D
Incorrect: No one saw the pickup carry anything; the neighbor only saw it in the driveway.
Question 13 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following press release and answer the question: 'The Marlin Cove Police Department announces a Community Camera Partnership Program beginning October 1, 2023. The voluntary program lets residents and businesses register their privately owned security cameras. Registration does not give police direct access to camera feeds. Participants will be contacted only if a crime occurs near their camera. Participants may withdraw at any time. Information is stored in a secure database accessible only to authorized personnel.'
According to the press release, which statement is accurate?
Answer explanations
A
Correct: The release says participants may leave the program at any time.
B
Incorrect: Registration does not give police direct access to feeds, and no emergency exception is mentioned.
C
Incorrect: The program is voluntary for residents and businesses.
D
Incorrect: Participants are contacted only when a crime occurs near their camera.
Question 14 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following crash report and answer the question: 'On 12/14/2023 at 1705 hours, Officer Marsh investigated a three-vehicle crash on westbound State Road 50. According to the drivers and a dash-camera video, traffic slowed for a stalled truck. Vehicle 2, a white Ford Escape, braked and stopped. Vehicle 3, a red Dodge Ram, was following Vehicle 2 too closely and struck its rear. The impact pushed Vehicle 2 forward into the rear of Vehicle 1, a black Kia Soul, which had already stopped. The driver of Vehicle 1 was not injured; the driver of Vehicle 2 complained of neck pain.'
According to the report, which vehicle caused the first impact?
Answer explanations
A
Correct: Vehicle 3, following too closely, struck Vehicle 2 first.
B
Incorrect: Vehicle 2 had stopped and was pushed into Vehicle 1 by the first impact.
C
Incorrect: Vehicle 1 was already stopped and was hit last.
D
Incorrect: The stalled truck slowed traffic but struck nothing.
Question 15 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following policy and answer the question: 'CITIZEN COMPLAINTS 1.9: Any employee who is approached by a person wishing to make a complaint about an employee shall accept it or immediately refer the person to an on-duty supervisor. No employee shall discourage a complaint or require the complainant to give his or her name; anonymous complaints shall be accepted. Complaints against a supervisor shall be referred to a supervisor of higher rank or to the Professional Standards Unit. Every complaint shall be forwarded to Professional Standards within 24 hours.'
A woman at the front desk says she wants to complain about Sergeant Hill but will not give her name. What should the desk officer do?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: A sergeant is not higher in rank than Sergeant Hill, and the partner link makes it worse.
B
Correct: Anonymous complaints must be accepted, and a complaint about a supervisor goes to a higher rank or Professional Standards.
C
Incorrect: No employee may discourage a complaint or require the person to give a name.
D
Incorrect: The policy says anonymous complaints shall be accepted.
Question 16 of 16 · Written ComprehensionNot answered
Read the following arrest report and answer the question: 'On 08/09/2024 at 2140 hours, Officer Grant stopped a blue Ford Fusion for an expired tag on Lake Drive. The driver, Anna Webb, had a valid license. The front passenger, Carl Dunn, gave his name and date of birth. The rear passenger, Mike Dunn, Carl's brother, said he had no identification. A records check showed an active warrant for failure to appear for Carl Dunn and no warrants for Ms. Webb. Mike Dunn's name returned no record. Carl Dunn was arrested on the warrant, and Ms. Webb received a citation for the expired tag.'
According to the report, which person had the active warrant?
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Mike Dunn's name returned no record.
B
Correct: Carl Dunn, the front passenger, had the active warrant and was arrested on it.
C
Incorrect: "Rear passenger, Carl" has the right name but the wrong seat; Carl sat in front.
D
Incorrect: Ms. Webb had a valid license and no warrants; she only got a citation.
Answer every question to see your score
!
True, but not in the passage
A typical trap is a statement that is sensible, maybe even correct at your future agency, but that the passage doesn't support. The handbook tells you to use only the material provided, and the key follows it.
Do I need to know police procedures for these questions?
No. The handbook says the test needs no previous experience or outside knowledge. Each answer is supported by the passage, and outside knowledge is what makes the trap options tempting.
How many written comprehension questions are on the CJBAT?
The handbook doesn't publish it. It gives one total for Section III, 40 items across four abilities, so plan as if each ability carries a similar share.