Police powers: past paper questions
Real questions on police powers
The newest 20 of 40 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9084/11 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[10]
Explain the rules set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 regarding the treatment of suspects detained at the police station.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2026 · Q8b[15]
Assess whether these rules provide adequate protection to those in police custody.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[10]
Explain the rules set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 regarding the treatment of suspects detained at the police station.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · May/June 2026 · Q8b[15]
Assess whether these rules provide adequate protection to those in police custody.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2[2]
Identify two Acts of Parliament which provide the police with powers to stop and search.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · October/November 2025 · Q2[2]
Identify two Acts of Parliament which provide the police with powers to stop and search.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3[6]
Describe three rights detainees must be informed of when they arrive at the police station.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[10]
Explain how the police make the decision to release suspects on bail or remand them in custody.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2025 · Q7b[15]
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of allowing a suspect to be released on bail.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7a[10]
Explain how the police should make a lawful arrest without a warrant.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7b[15]
Assess the extent to which the law on arrest without a warrant strikes a fair balance between the powers of the police and the rights of the individual.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · October/November 2023 · Q3[5]
Identify five requirements of a valid stop and search by a police officer.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2023 · Q3[5]
Identify five rights of a suspect detained at a police station.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · May/June 2023 · Q7a[10]
Describe the rights of a suspect detained at a police station.
See it on the paper → - 9084/12 · October/November 2022 · Q5[25]
Explain the law that governs the treatment of individuals in custody at a police station. Assess whether the law is adequate to protect individuals in these circumstances.
See it on the paper → - 9084/42 · October/November 2022 · Q4[25]
Jayden, an 11 year old boy, and his friends regularly play in the grounds of Barchester Hospital which are easily accessible through a number of public entrances. The hospital security staff tell the children to leave when they see them. However, the grounds are large so the children can avoid the security staff by run...
See it on the paper → - 9084/43 · October/November 2022 · Q4[25]
Jayden, an 11 year old boy, and his friends regularly play in the grounds of Barchester Hospital which are easily accessible through a number of public entrances. The hospital security staff tell the children to leave when they see them. However, the grounds are large so the children can avoid the security staff by run...
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · May/June 2022 · Q6[25]
After charge, but before trial, an individual can be remanded on bail by the court. Explain how a court makes this decision and what conditions might be imposed. Assess the extent to which the granting of bail to an individual charged with a crime imposes risks on society.
See it on the paper → - 9084/11 · October/November 2021 · Q4[25]
Bella has been arrested on suspicion of committing murder and taken to her local police station. Explain how Bella should be detained and treated at a police station. Assess whether the law adequately protects her rights in this situation.
See it on the paper → - 9084/13 · October/November 2021 · Q4[25]
Bella has been arrested on suspicion of committing murder and taken to her local police station. Explain how Bella should be detained and treated at a police station. Assess whether the law adequately protects her rights in this situation.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Answers to this question were variable. A common misunderstanding was to write about the requirements for a valid arrest, rather than stop and search. In some cases, there was also discussion of the reasons for stop and search, rather than the requirements, for example, reference to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Terrorism Act 2020. Although these are legally correct statutes, they relate to the...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9084/12 Q3 (Cambridge)
This question was generally answered very well. The best responses listed five detention rights in any combination. As a point of guidance, candidates should be advised that the word ‘identify’ requires little more than a list. Some candidates included a detailed explanation of each right which was not required. Some candidates needed to use the correct terminology and list the rights as containe...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9084/11 Q3 (Cambridge)
This was also a popular question which was answered by the majority of candidates. Stronger candidates focused their answer immediately on Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The majority of candidates, even without the legal authority, could describe the rights afforded by this statute in varying detail, such as the right to a phone call, the right to legal advice, the need for a...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9084/12 Q7(a) (Cambridge)
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