Disturbance Call

Law Enforcement Event

Updated on April 1st, 2023

This event will consist of a two student team responding to a disturbance call as a team of patrol officers. The competitors will be responsible for de-escalating the situation, interviewing witnesses, suspects, and/or victims to determine the nature of the incident. There will be no forensic activities in this event. A judge will observe all portions of this event. The scenario will require the use of critical thinking skills. The performance will be timed and evaluated according to the event guidelines. To encourage criminal justice students to improve their problem-solving, decision-making, and oral and written communication skills in the area of a criminal investigation.

Team Size/Limit Information

Dress Code

Competitors shall wear a uniform consistent with current standards in law enforcement patrol. The student shall wear a duty belt throughout the duration of this event.

Materials

Competitors are required to provide the following materials for the duration of the competitive event. No additional materials may be used that are not in the material list.

• Photo Identification qt. 1

  Reference https://tpsa.info/policies for more information

• Blue/ Black inkpen qt. 1
• Blank writing tablet of any size for note taking qt. 1
• Duty belt with simulated handgun, handcuffs, handcuff key qt. 1

Policies

• Competitors in this event must be active members of the Texas Public Safety Association and in good standing with the Texas Public Safety Association.
• Competitors must be familiar with and adhere to the Texas Public Safety Association Bylaws and Code of Conduct.
• Plagiarism, copyright violation and falsification of information are prohibited. Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage will not be tolerated. Violation of the code of conduct or bylaws will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
• The scenario is a secret topic. Professional ethics demand that competitors DO NOT discuss or reveal the secret topic until after the event has concluded. Violation of the ethics rules will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
• The team will have Fifteen (15) minutes to gather information, interview witnesses, suspects, & victims.
• Competitors may not have pre-written questions or use a blank incident report while competing in this event. Students may bring a blank notebook to record field notes. All field notes must be turned into the judge and attached to the score sheet.
• All teams will be given the same scenario to investigate.
• The disturbance scenario will have 2 - 3 role players, the role players cannot be judges.
• Competitors will not be allowed to ask the judge questions after the event has begun.
• The Officer in Charge will have Five (5) minutes to report a summary of the investigation and arrest/non arrest decision(s) to the judge.
• The judge will have the final decision on tie breakers based on overall team performances.
• The background of the judge shall be certified law enforcement.

Procedures

1. Competitor(s)/Team(s) will report to their respective event when called for or at a set reporting time.
2. Competitor(s)/Team(s) must check in with event management upon arrival and present photo identification for verification.
3. Competitor(s)/Team(s) will be directed (by room moderator) to the scenario location.
4. Instructions and scenario details will be given (by room moderator) to the Competitor(s)/Team(s).
5. The room moderator will set a timer for fifteen (15) minutes.
6. When the room moderator starts the timer and calls “start”, each team will:
   1. De-escalate the scene
   2. Interview all necessary parties
   3. Arrests subjects (if applicable)
7. The moderator will call “time” when the 15 minute timer sounds. Competitors who have not completed the interview/ arrest process when time is called will receive a “DNF”, and shall not be allowed to continue to the next phase.
8. The room moderator will set a time for five (5) minutes.
9. When the room moderators starts the time and calls “start”, the Officer in Charge (competitor) will:
   1. report a summary of the investigation and arrest/non arrest decision(s) to the judge.

Staff Instructions

People

• Judgeqt. 3
• Managerqt. 1
• Moderatorqt. 1
• Actorqt. 2-3

Space/Location/Rooms

• Classroom or large flex area Indoor

  Classroom or flex area large enough to accommodate the Judge, Moderator, Actors, Competitors.

Supplies

• Simulated weapons qt. 1

  (knife, gun) if used during scenario by actors

• Timer qt. 1
• Rubric/Score Sheet qt. 1
• Writing Utensil qt. 1