Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

True or False: Police officers can make arrests for petty offenses, status offenses, and misdemeanors.

1. True

2. False

3. Only for felonies

4. Only for serious offenses

The correct answer is: True

The assertion is accurate because police officers possess the authority to make arrests for a broad range of offenses, including petty offenses, status offenses, and misdemeanors. This responsibility is grounded in their role to enforce laws and maintain public order. Petty offenses, which are typically considered minor violations, can still result in arrest, albeit such situations may often lead to a citation or summons instead. Similarly, status offenses, which are actions that are deemed illegal only due to the age of the offender (such as truancy), also fall under the scope of police authority for arrests. Misdemeanors, though more serious than petty offenses, are nonetheless within the jurisdiction of law enforcement to arrest individuals who commit them. The other options suggest limitations that do not reflect the comprehensive powers held by police officers in enforcing the law, thereby affirming that they indeed can arrest for a variety of offenses, including those classified as petty, status, and misdemeanors.