Can We Guess What Branch of Law Enforcement You Work In?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can We Guess What Branch of Law Enforcement You Work In?
Image: kali9 / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Where would the world be without law enforcement officers like you? Members of law enforcement have taken an oath to protect and to serve just like the military. No matter which branch you work in, we know that you do your best to uphold the law and to keep the citizens in your district safe.

Whether you're a local deputy or an FBI agent, the things you do at your job every day leave little impressions. During this quiz, we'll ask you about the things you do every day, how you would handle certain situations and about the ways you think you might be able to improve the things you do. After you feel like you've testified in front of the friendliest grand jury in the world, we'll be able to figure out which branch you've chosen to make your career.

You might not have to deal with every question we ask, but it's a little like one of the aptitude tests you took when you joined the force. Answer like you are pledging your oath again, and we'll do our best to figure out how you enforce the law. Will our interrogation skills be as good as yours, or will you need to teach us a few tricks? Your arresting result awaits ...

1 cop pulling over woman
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You have pulled over a robbery suspect. What is the first thing you do?
Call for backup
Make sure my body cam is recording
Unholster my weapon
Observe the suspect for a few minutes

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2 cop cadet
Hill Street Studios / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Back when you were a cadet, did you think you would be doing the job you do now?
I was sure I would run the show by now.
When I was a cadet, I didn't think I would make it.
Everything has worked out like I planned.
I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do.

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3 police having coffee
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After a long, stressful shift, how do you like to unwind?
Working out destresses me.
I like to watch my favorite television show.
Spending time with my family does the job.
I like to make myself a nice meal.

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4 police officer at night
kali9 / E+ / Getty Images
Do you work one particular shift, or do your hours vary every week?
I work the same shift all the time.
My hours are unpredictable.
I work more overtime than I would like.
It depends on the time of year.

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5 kitten in a tree
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Your neighbor's kitten is stuck in a tree. Will you help it get down?
That's my job!
The kitten will come down on its own.
I'm sure the fire department can handle it.
I would be happy to lend a hand.

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6 Police in office
Darrin Klimek / Photodisc / Getty Images
Do you spend most of your day in a car, at a desk or outdoors?
My day is a mixed bag of the three.
I spend a lot more time behind a desk.
I'm always in the cruiser.
I work outdoors more than I would like.

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7 Police arrest in handcufffs
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During your law enforcement career, how many people have you arrested?
A handful
I've lost count.
A few
They come to me after they've been arrested.

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8 Police arrest
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If you had to choose one thing, what would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?
Helping people
Getting criminals off the street
Assisting stranded drivers
Keeping the country safe

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9 Shoplifting
Jupiterimages / Polka Dot / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
You just saw someone shoplift. What are you going to do?
I'm going to arrest them.
I would alert the manager.
I'm calling 911.
I would ask them to put it back before I call security.

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10 Justice scales gavel
krisanapong detraphiphat / Moment / Getty Images
If you were to work in the court system, what would be your job?
Judge
Probation officer
Social worker
Court reporter

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11 Police detective
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You've made the detective squad! What sort of case would you like to work?
Homicide
Corporate fraud
Drug trafficking
Missing persons

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12 Prisoner and guard
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In your opinion, what can be done to stop people from returning to prison?
Not committing crimes
Better education
Rehabilitation services
Longer sentences

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13 Special FBI agent
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Which one of these FBI ranks do you think your brain could earn?
Agent-in-Charge
Director
Deputy Director
Field Agent

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14 Police cadets academy
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Would you go back to school if it meant climbing the ranks faster?
I have been considering it.
I have the rank I want.
School is not my idea of fun.
We take continuing education courses.

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15 Police in cop car
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What would the last coworker you spoke with say about your work ethic?
They would say I'm driven.
They always accuse me of taking extra breaks.
You don't want to ask that person anything about me!
I'm sure they would say that I try my best.

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16 Police on radio
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Out of all your job skills, which one would you like to improve?
Marksmanship skills
Communication skills
Technological skills
Organizational skills

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17 Police SUV on highway
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If your job requires travel, do you stay close to home or go far away?
I'm always on the road, but it's near my home.
I travel to different countries sometimes.
I don't do a lot of traveling with my job.
It depends on the case I'm working.

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18 crime scene
Jack Berman / Moment / Getty Images
Which one of these crime TV shows is your job most like on a normal day?
"C.O.P.S."
"Criminal Minds"
"Blue Bloods"
"Columbo"

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19 handcuffed man in courtroom
Chris Ryan / OJO Images / Getty Images
Be honest! Have you ever broken the law?
I plead the fifth.
I have had a speeding ticket.
Everyone breaks a law now and then.
I swear on my bosses life that I have never broken the law.

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20 stressed police officer
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You need to have a cool head to work in law enforcement. How do you stay calm when things get crazy?
I use all of my training.
A few deep breaths help keep me calm.
I've been taught to take control of the situation.
Sometimes, you just have to go with it.

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21 Physical exam
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Are you required to pass a yearly physical?
It's not a requirement after training.
We take physicals every few months.
We do have to pass a yearly test.
It's not yearly, but we do occasionally have them.

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22 Policewoman
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
What might have inspired you to go into law enforcement?
A personal experience
A family member
Injustice
Time in the military

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23 Soldiers at dusk
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Without including the Marines, which branch of the military do you admire the most?
Coast Guard
Army
Air Force
Navy

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24 Police officers award
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Do you think your boss is doing a great job, or could you do the job better?
I am the boss.
I could run things more efficiently.
I think my boss is doing just fine.
I could make improvements in a few areas.

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25 police paperwork
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What part of your job do you wish you never had to do again?
Give bad news
Incarcerate people
Deal with a partner
Fill out mountains of paperwork

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26 FBI team
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Think about your leadership style. How do others see you?
Bossy
Authoritative
Picky
Fair

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27 Police team in car
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You and your partner are on a stake out, and you're starving. What are you going to do?
I brought sandwiches!
One of us at a time will go out and grab something.
We'll be fine until the end of the shift.
We don't get to go on stakeouts.

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28 Police undercover
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During your time on the job, have you ever gone undercover?
I wish!
I can't answer that question.
I've been undercover once or twice.
We do not do that type of work.

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29 police gear
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Out of all the things you use in a day, which one is most valuable?
Cell phone
Handcuffs
Radio
Body cam

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30 Police chase
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Would you engage in a high-speed chase to apprehend someone?
It's too dangerous.
If it were in an open area, I would.
You bet I would!
If I couldn't avoid it, I would do it reluctantly.

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