U.S. Marshals Service Deputy U.S. Marshal Assessment Test

During a planned fugitive arrest at a residence, a fellow deputy proposes entering before the perimeter team is set, arguing the suspect may flee. What is the most appropriate response?

• AEnter immediately to prevent flight, since perimeter delays often cost arrests
• BAsk the team leader to hold entry until the perimeter is confirmed in position
• CKnock on the front door alone to see whether the suspect responds
• DDrive away and try again later when the team is rested

You are transporting a federal prisoner alone in a USMS vehicle when the prisoner complains of chest pain and says he cannot breathe. What is the best first step?

• ANotify dispatch, request medical assistance, and continue safe driving toward the nearest…
• BIgnore the complaint until you reach the destination, since prisoners often fake illness
• CRemove the restraints so the prisoner can breathe more easily
• DPull over on the shoulder and exit the vehicle to check the prisoner outside

A protected witness in the Witness Security Program calls you and asks for permission to attend a relative's funeral in his original hometown. What is the most appropriate first response?

• AApprove the trip verbally because family events are a humanitarian exception
• BTell the witness that contact with the past identity is permanently forbidden, with no ex…
• CDocument the request and forward it through the WITSEC chain so a security-controlled dec…
• DDrive the witness yourself to the funeral that night

While screening visitors at the entrance to a federal courthouse, you find a small folding knife in a juror's bag. The juror says he simply forgot it. What is the best action?

• AAllow the juror through with a verbal warning
• BConfiscate the knife and keep it as personal property
• CArrest the juror for attempted introduction of a weapon
• DRefuse entry with the weapon, secure or return-to-vehicle the item per courthouse policy,…

A fellow deputy tells you, in confidence, that he ran an off-duty NCIC check on his daughter's new boyfriend. He asks you not to mention it. What should you do?

• AKeep it confidential because no one was hurt
• BReport the misuse through the appropriate USMS channel, since unauthorized NCIC queries a…
• CTell the deputy to delete the query record himself
• DRun a similar query so the audit log looks normal

Your task force is preparing to serve an arrest warrant on a violent fugitive at a duplex. Surveillance shows the fugitive's elderly mother also lives in the residence. Which is the best planning consideration?

• ATreat the mother as a co-conspirator and detain her in cuffs on entry
• BBrief the team on the presence of a vulnerable non-target, plan announcements, and assign…
• CCancel the operation because non-targets are present
• DIgnore the information; non-targets rarely matter

During a long-distance prisoner movement, your partner suggests removing leg restraints during a meal stop at a public restaurant to avoid attention. Best response?

• AAgree, because public optics are important
• BLet the prisoner walk to the bathroom unescorted
• CRemove all restraints, including handcuffs
• DDecline; transport policy and risk both call for keeping the prisoner properly restrained…

A reporter calls and asks for the new identity, city, and employer of a relocated WITSEC witness whose old case is being re-examined. What is the correct response?

• AProvide the information so the public stays informed
• BHang up without identifying yourself
• CTell the reporter only the city, since cities are public
• DDecline to confirm or deny any WITSEC-related information and refer the reporter to the U…

While clearing a known fugitive's home, you find a small quantity of what appears to be illegal narcotics in plain view, but the fugitive has not yet been located inside. What should you do?

• APocket the substance for later testing
• BIgnore it, since your warrant is only for the fugitive
• CFlush it so children cannot find it
• DPhotograph the location, leave the substance in place, secure the scene, and coordinate w…

A federal judge tells you that she has been receiving anonymous threatening letters at her home, but does not want to make a 'big deal' of it. What is the best response?

• ARespect her wishes and take no action
• BDrive past her home occasionally on patrol
• CDocument the threats, brief your judicial security inspector, and recommend a formal thre…
• DTell her to report it to local police instead

You are part of a task force with state and local officers. A local officer wants to use a tactic that violates USMS policy but is allowed by his agency. What is the best response?

• ADefer to the local officer, because you are on his territory
• BThreaten to arrest the local officer
• CLeave the scene
• DPolitely explain that USMS personnel must follow USMS policy, and ask the team leader to…

A high-profile defendant in your custody asks to make a call to his attorney before a court appearance. What is the most appropriate response?

• ARefuse all calls because he is in custody
• BListen in on the call to gather intelligence
• CHand him your personal phone
• DFacilitate appropriate attorney access through the procedures used at the holding facilit…

While serving a federal warrant, you observe what may be a child in distress in the next room. What is the most appropriate action?

• AFinish the planned warrant entry only, then leave without checking on the child
• BTake reasonable, lawful steps to ensure the child's safety while continuing to execute th…
• CWalk away because the warrant does not name the child
• DPhotograph the child and post the image to your phone for backup

Your supervisor assigns you to a 24-hour judicial protection detail. You have a relative's wedding the same day. What is the most professional approach?

• ASkip the detail to attend the wedding
• BTrade with another deputy without telling the supervisor
• CNotify your supervisor as early as possible, request relief if appropriate, but be prepar…
• DShow up to the detail but leave early without notice

A prisoner being transported expresses suicidal thoughts. What is the best immediate response?

• AIgnore the comment; prisoners say many things
• BDocument the statement, notify medical and supervisory personnel, and maintain heightened…
• CStop and unrestrain him so he feels calmer
• DHand him your weapon to test his sincerity

During a courthouse evacuation drill, an attorney refuses to leave a courtroom, citing an active hearing. What should you do?

• AArgue with the attorney until he agrees
• BFirmly but professionally explain that evacuation is mandatory, coordinate with the judge…
• CDrag the attorney out by force
• DLeave the attorney inside and continue your sweep

A fugitive task force tip from an informant leads to a possible address. The informant has been wrong twice before. What is the best planning step?

• ACorroborate the tip with independent investigation, such as surveillance or records check…
• BHit the address immediately to avoid losing the suspect
• CDiscard the tip without checking
• DSend a single deputy alone to confirm the suspect inside

You arrive at a residence to arrest a fugitive and find the suspect's spouse holding an infant in the doorway. The suspect appears in the hallway behind. What is the best response?

• AOrder the spouse to drop the infant immediately
• BWithdraw entirely and call off the arrest
• CDeploy a flash-bang device into the doorway
• DDirect the spouse to a safe area with the infant while you focus on controlling the suspe…

A high-profile witness in WITSEC contacts you because she fears her neighbor recognizes her from a news photo. What should you do first?

• ATell her she is imagining things
• BTreat the report as credible, document it, and route a security review through the WITSEC…
• COrder her to confront the neighbor
• DMove her that night without supervisor approval

While searching a fugitive's vehicle pursuant to a valid authority, you find $12,000 in cash. Your partner suggests not logging part of it. What is the best response?

• AAgree quietly because the suspect is a criminal
• BTake half yourself
• CRefuse and ensure all currency is properly counted, documented, and inventoried, and repo…
• DThrow the cash away

A federal judge requests that you remove a specific spectator from his courtroom because the spectator 'looks unfriendly.' The spectator has done nothing disruptive. What is the best response?

• APolitely advise the judge that lawful removal requires more than appearance, and offer to…
• BRemove the spectator immediately because the judge requested it
• CIgnore the judge's request
• DArrest the spectator outside the courtroom

A senior deputy regularly makes off-color jokes about a co-worker's religion in your presence. The co-worker has not complained directly. What is the best step?

• ALaugh along to keep the peace
• BConfront the senior deputy in front of the squad
• CAddress the conduct through appropriate channels, including reporting via EEO or supervis…
• DQuietly transfer to another district

You are alone in a courthouse holding area with several federal prisoners. One asks to use the bathroom, and the camera in the bathroom is non-functional. What is the best response?

• AAllow the prisoner to use the bathroom unescorted
• BUse force to prevent the prisoner from moving at all
• CTell the prisoner to wait until end of shift
• DRequest a second deputy or supervisor to assist and follow facility procedure for unrestr…

While monitoring social media for fugitive intel, you locate an open post from the fugitive himself at a tagged restaurant in another district. What is the best next step?

• ADrive there alone immediately
• BDelete the post so the suspect cannot see it
• CPost a public comment asking the fugitive to surrender
• DCoordinate through your district and the receiving district to verify, deconflict, and ac…

A defendant being escorted into court spits at the prosecutor. The defendant is already restrained. What is the most appropriate immediate response?

• AStrike the defendant for retaliation
• BLeave the defendant in the hallway until he calms down
• CUse only the force necessary to control the defendant and prevent further contact, then d…
• DRemove restraints to allow him to gesture more comfortably

During a hearing involving a high-threat defendant, an unfamiliar individual repeatedly tries to make eye contact with the defendant and is taking photos of the deputies' faces. Best response?

• AIgnore the behavior
• BHave the individual arrested without question
• CConfiscate the camera by force
• DDiscreetly notify other deputies, monitor the individual, and consider an identification…

Your team is preparing to enter a high-risk fugitive location. You realize you forgot your ballistic vest plate at home. What is the most appropriate action?

• AEnter anyway and say nothing
• BInform the team leader immediately so the assignment can be reassessed or appropriate gea…
• CBorrow a vest from a civilian neighbor
• DSend a deputy to your home to retrieve it during the entry

A prisoner you are transporting claims his attorney told him he should not be in custody. He demands you release him. What is the best response?

• AAcknowledge his statement, decline the demand, continue secure transport, and let his att…
• BRelease him because attorneys are reliable
• CArgue the case law with him
• DThreaten him with additional restraints if he speaks again

While off-duty in plain clothes, you witness a violent armed robbery at a convenience store. You are alone. What is the most appropriate first action?

• AEngage the robber immediately, regardless of bystanders
• BBecome a good witness, call 911 with location, suspect, and vehicle details, and interven…
• CConfront the suspect verbally without identifying yourself
• DDrive away to avoid being involved

A senior deputy directs you to falsify the time on a transport log so that overtime calculations look better. What is the right response?

• AFalsify the log as instructed
• BRefuse the instruction, document accurately, and report the directive through the proper…
• CFalsify the log this once and refuse next time
• DResign rather than report

Your task force is briefed to apprehend a fugitive at a workplace at 9 a.m. The workplace is a daycare center. What is the best response?

• AProceed exactly as planned
• BRecommend rescheduling or relocating the apprehension to a time and place that reduces ri…
• CCancel the operation entirely
• DSend only one deputy to avoid a scene

During a courthouse lockdown caused by a credible threat, you encounter an elderly visitor in a wheelchair who cannot move quickly. Best response?

• AAssist the visitor to a designated safe area while maintaining your security posture and…
• BLeave the visitor to find his own way
• CTell the visitor to crawl out faster
• DLock him alone in a courtroom

A fugitive who is the subject of a federal warrant is reportedly armed and inside a residence. A SWAT/SOG response is available but will take 90 minutes. The fugitive's movement appears settled. What is the best decision?

• AMake an immediate dynamic entry to avoid waiting
• BEstablish containment, request specialized resources, and avoid premature entry unless ci…
• CWithdraw entirely and treat the warrant as inactive
• DSend unmarked deputies to befriend him at the door

A WITSEC participant repeatedly violates program rules by contacting prior associates. What is the best step?

• AIgnore the violations to keep the participant cooperative
• BThreaten the participant physically
• CDocument each violation, brief the WITSEC chain, and prepare for program-defined conseque…
• DMove him to a new identity each time

A federal prisoner in your custody requests prescribed medication that he carries in his pocket. What is the best response?

• AVerify the medication and dosage through medical staff, control its administration per po…
• BAllow him to self-administer from his pocket
• CConfiscate the medication permanently
• DTake the medication for personal use later

While preparing a search of a fugitive's residence, you discover the address listed in the warrant is one digit off from the actual structure. What is the best step?

• ASearch the correct structure anyway because intent is clear
• BIgnore the warrant entirely and arrest at sight
• CSearch both structures to be safe
• DStop, consult supervisors and legal counsel, and obtain a corrected warrant before execut…

An interpreter at a sensitive court proceeding tells you, during a break, that the defendant has been threatening the interpreter in another language. Best response?

• ATell the interpreter to ignore it
• BDocument the report, notify the judge and your supervisor, and prepare for possible addit…
• CConfront the defendant openly in court
• DRemove the interpreter from the proceeding without informing the judge

Your supervisor orders you to perform an action you believe violates federal law and policy. What is the most appropriate response?

• ARespectfully decline the unlawful order, request clarification in writing, and report thr…
• BComply without question because of rank
• CComply but secretly record the supervisor
• DResign on the spot

A juror approaches you during a recess and asks whether the defendant is guilty in your opinion. Best response?

• APolitely decline, explain that you cannot discuss the case, and notify the judge or court…
• BShare your honest view
• CEncourage the juror to discuss it with other jurors
• DTell the juror to ignore the evidence

You and your partner are escorting a high-profile prisoner. A crowd gathers and one person throws a bottle near the prisoner. Best immediate response?

• AStop and confront the thrower in the crowd
• BOpen fire to disperse the crowd
• CRelease the prisoner to draw the crowd away
• DMaintain custody, shield and move the prisoner to the secure vehicle as quickly and safel…

While searching a known fugitive's residence, you find an unfamiliar firearm in a drawer. The fugitive has not been located. What is the best step?

• ATake the firearm home for safekeeping
• BLeave the firearm in the drawer where any visitor could access it
• CRender the firearm safe within policy, document its location, and process it as evidence…
• DSell the firearm to fund the operation

A protected witness's child wants to participate in a televised school competition. What is the best response from the deputy contact?

• AApprove participation verbally
• BTell the child that visibility is forever forbidden, without further analysis
• CDocument the request, evaluate exposure risk, and route the decision through the WITSEC c…
• DAllow it secretly so the family is happy

A federal judge calls and asks you to look up a license plate for personal curiosity, not for any official reason. Best response?

• ARun the plate quietly because it is a judge
• BRun the plate and share the results in writing
• CPolitely decline and explain that law-enforcement databases may be used only for authoriz…
• DRun the plate and conceal the audit log

During a courthouse incident, you accidentally discharge your firearm into the floor. No one is injured. What is the best response?

• ASecure the scene, render aid if needed, notify your supervisor and the appropriate review…
• BHide the spent casing and say nothing
• CBlame the discharge on another deputy
• DLeave the courthouse to avoid scrutiny

Your team has a fugitive cornered in a one-room apartment, and a hostage is suspected inside. What is the best response?

• ABreach the door immediately
• BOrder the fugitive over a loudspeaker to come out or be shot
• CContain the location, call for crisis negotiation and specialized teams, and avoid premat…
• DWithdraw and treat the warrant as inactive

A new deputy on your team confides that he is struggling with PTSD symptoms after a critical incident. What is the most appropriate response?

• ATell him to 'tough it out' and not mention it again
• BShare the information at the next squad meeting
• CReport him as unfit and have him terminated
• DListen supportively, encourage use of the agency's employee assistance and peer support p…

During prisoner transport, a fellow deputy uses a racial slur about the prisoner in the back seat. What is the best response?

• ALaugh to keep things easy
• BRepeat the slur to fit in
• CAddress the language professionally at the scene if safe, and report through the appropri…
• DIgnore it forever