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Protective Services

Entry Level Assessment Blueprint

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:


Public Safety

  • Implement universal precautions and sanitation procedures
  • Identify major federal regulatory agencies and how they enforce laws and regulations
  • Describe proper emergency vehicle operations (EVO)
  • Display understanding of ethical dilemmas in the field of public safety
  • Gather and disseminate information effectively (reading, writing, and speaking)
  • Establish incident command in a first responder situation according to NIMS protocol
  • Identify liability issues regarding public safety professionals


Law Enforcement

  • Describe roles and responsibilities for law enforcement professionals
  • Identify law enforcement techniques for special situations (bomb threat, AMBER Alert™, etc.)
  • Exhibit knowledge of the force continuum and its use
  • Demonstrate proper interviewing techniques
  • Display knowledge of court procedures
  • Exhibit knowledge of community policing techniques
  • Describe indicators and dangers of substance abuse
  • Apply laws appropriate to situations (domestic violence, gang violence, etc.)
  • Display knowledge of search and seizure procedures


Fire Fighting

  • Describe roles and responsibilities for firefighting professionals
  • Describe and understand basic fire mechanics
  • Identify types and methods of fire suppression
  • Exhibit knowledge of hazardous materials
  • Identify rescue protocol and procedures
  • Identify extrication equipment, protocol, and procedures


Emergency Medical Services

  • Describe roles and responsibilities for EMS professionals
  • Exhibit knowledge of first-aid and CPR procedures and techniques
  • Describe appropriate patient assessment and management skills
  • Identify components of major legal considerations
  • Explain legal concerns for vulnerable populations (children, elderly, etc.)


Career Development

  • Demonstrate appropriate report writing techniques
  • Display knowledge of career opportunities within Protective Services
  • Manage available resources to assist with planning and delivery of services
  • Display knowledge of stress management techniques for public safety professionals


Homeland Security

  • Describe the history and scope of homeland security
  • Distinguish between domestic and international terrorism
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of the Patriot Act of 2001

Written Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Questions: 172

Areas Covered: 

Public Safety: 19%

Law Enforcement: 32%

Fire Fighting: 19%

Emergency Medical Services: 15%

Career Development: 8%

Homeland Security: 7%



Sample Questions:

The written log used to track the possession and location of evidence is used in the  

  1. chain of custody
  2. book of evidence
  3. property sheet
  4. rap sheet


Class B fires involve

  1. flammable liquids
  2. electrical equipment
  3. combustible metals
  4. ordinary combustibles


A common category of mistreatment of the elderly involves

  1. neglect
  2. sexual abuse
  3. malpractice
  4. self-abuse


What is the most common cause of police officer deaths in the line of duty?    

  1. homicides
  2. automobile-related incidents
  3. attacks on foot pursuit
  4. accidental gun discharges


The Department of Homeland Security was established after the

  1. World Trade Center bombing of 1993
  2. Oklahoma City bombing of 1995
  3. World Trade Center attack of 2001
  4. Washington DC sniper attacks of 2002


Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Number of Jobs: 8


Areas Covered:

8% Street Interview
Street interview, stop and frisk technique, identification, and time to complete Job 1.  

19% Arrest and Search
Arrest, handcuff, search, evidence handling, transfer of custody, and time to complete Job 2.  

10% Complete an Incident Report
Identifying information, narrative, and time to complete Job 3.  

7% Chemical Identification
Worksheet completion, and time to complete Job 4.  

17% Fire Suppression Demonstration
Suiting up, fire hose assembly and use, enter building, search for victims, remove victim from building, provide care for victim, and time to complete Job 5.  

18%   Vital Signs
Patient interaction, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, pupil dilation status, relay patient status to EMS, and time to complete Job 6.  

10%   Perform CPR on an Adult
Safety, determine the level of consciousness, CPR, and time to complete Job 7.  

11%   Patient Assessment
Initial scene, “size up”, patient care, assessment form completion, and time to complete Job 8.  

Sample Job: Street Interview
Maximum Time: 10 minutes
Participant Activity:   Using the scenario provided, the participant will tactically approach the suspect, identify yourself, and briefly state the reason for your inquiry.  Inform the suspect that you will perform a brief “stop and frisk” (or pat down) procedure. Perform the “stop and frisk” (or pat down) procedure, request valid identification from the suspect, and perform a ”verbalized” computer check of the suspect’s identification.