North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

True or False: A law enforcement officer can use any means to establish probable cause.

1. True

2. False

3. Requires judicial oversight

4. Only under specific circumstances

The correct answer is: False

Probable cause is a legal standard that requires a reasonable belief, based on factual evidence, that a crime has been committed or that certain property is connected to criminal activity. The assertion that a law enforcement officer can use any means to establish probable cause is inaccurate. Establishing probable cause must align with legal standards and constitutional protections, particularly the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. Investigation practices, including the methods used to gather evidence, must adhere to the law. Officers cannot rely on arbitrary or unlawful methods to establish probable cause; they must utilize credible sources, corroborated information, and follow procedural guidelines. Additionally, any evidence collected must not violate individuals’ rights, as that would render the evidence inadmissible in court. This highlights the importance of lawful conduct in police work and emphasizes that there are necessary constraints and standards that govern how probable cause is established. The alternative choices hint at variations involving judicial oversight or specific circumstances, but the core principle remains that the means must be appropriate, lawful, and respectful of constitutional rights.