Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What do you call an encounter where a citizen feels they can disregard police and go about their business?

1. Detention

2. Consensual encounter

3. Investigative stop

4. Coercive encounter

The correct answer is: Consensual encounter

The term that describes an encounter where a citizen feels free to disregard the police and continue with their business is a consensual encounter. In this type of interaction, the citizen is not required to stay and engage with law enforcement and is under no obligation to answer questions or comply with police directives. This situation is characterized by the absence of coercive tactics by the police, allowing individuals the choice to proceed without interference. In contrast, a detention involves a temporary stop of a person by law enforcement where they may be required to stay put for questioning or investigation. An investigative stop suggests a higher level of intrusion, where officers have reasonable suspicion that a crime is occurring or has occurred, thus limiting a person's freedom more than a consensual encounter. A coercive encounter would imply a degree of force or intimidation from the police that compels compliance, which is opposite to the voluntary nature of a consensual encounter. Each of these alternatives showcases a level of interaction that is distinctly different from the voluntary and non-confrontational nature of a consensual encounter.