Civil Service Supervisor Practice Exam

What must a police officer generally demonstrate to establish probable cause?

1. A hunch about criminal activity

2. A reliable witness testimonies

3. Reasonable basis for believing a crime may have been committed

4. Personal knowledge of the suspect's criminal history

The correct answer is: Reasonable basis for believing a crime may have been committed

To establish probable cause, a police officer must demonstrate a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed. This means the officer needs to have enough facts or evidence to lead a reasonable person to conclude that there is a higher likelihood than not that criminal activity has occurred. This standard goes beyond mere suspicion or a hunch; it relies on factual circumstances and available evidence that are collectively sufficient to justify further investigation or action, such as an arrest or search. In contrast, a mere hunch does not meet the legal threshold for probable cause. While reliable witness testimonies can contribute to establishing probable cause, they are not required as the sole evidence. Lastly, personal knowledge of a suspect's prior criminal history does not inherently establish probable cause unless it is relevant to the current situation being investigated. This broader understanding of the requirement for probable cause ensures that police actions are grounded in objective facts rather than subjective beliefs.