The police and their duties — Life in the UK Test practice questions
These practice questions cover The police and their duties, part of the The UK government, the law and your role chapter of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The correct answer and a clear explanation sit under every question.
Practice questions
Which of these is one of the main jobs of the police in the UK?
- Approving government policy
- ✓ Protecting life and property — Correct answer
- Writing new laws
- Running local councils
The police protect life and property, prevent disturbances, and prevent and detect crime.
Who heads separate police forces in the UK?
- Chief Inspectors
- Police and Crime Commissioners
- ✓ Chief Constables — Correct answer
- Local councillors
Chief Constables head individual police forces and are responsible for day-to-day policing. In England and Wales, Police and Crime Commissioners oversee police forces, but they do not run policing operations themselves.
How can someone make a complaint about the police?
- Only through a magistrates' court
- Only by speaking to the media
- ✓ By going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable — Correct answer
- Only by asking a local councillor
Anyone can complain by going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved. Complaints can also be made to an independent body.
What should happen if you are arrested and taken to a police station?
- You will be kept there until a judge arrives
- Your name must be published
- ✓ You will be told the reason for your arrest and can seek legal advice — Correct answer
- You must speak only to the media
A police officer must tell you the reason for your arrest, and you can seek legal advice.
Which of these is one of the duties of the police in the UK?
- Collect income tax
- Set the voting system
- ✓ Prevent and detect crime — Correct answer
- Issue National Insurance numbers
The police help keep people and property safe, stop disorder, and prevent and detect crime. Their role is to uphold the law and protect the public.
What are the main duties of the police in the UK?
- ✓ To protect life and property, prevent disturbances, and prevent and detect crime — Correct answer
- To appoint local mayors and councillors
- To decide divorce cases and contract disputes
- To write laws and approve budgets
The police protect life and property, keep the peace, and prevent and detect crime. Those are the main duties of the police in the UK.
When were Police and Crime Commissioners elected in England and Wales?
- November 2013
- ✓ November 2012 — Correct answer
- November 2010
- November 2011
Police and Crime Commissioners are directly elected in England and Wales. They were first elected in November 2012. They set local policing priorities and hold chief constables to account, rather than running day-to-day policing.
Which group is responsible for setting local police priorities and the local policing budget in England and Wales?
- ✓ Police and Crime Commissioners — Correct answer
- The judiciary
- Magistrates
- Chief Constables
Police and Crime Commissioners are directly elected in England and Wales. They set local police priorities and the local policing budget, and they also appoint the Chief Constable.