Every agency is different, but certain policy topics appear on promotion exams far more often than others. These sections are high value targets for your study time, especially at the sergeant level.
Common examples include:
- Use of force and reporting requirements
- Vehicle pursuits and emergency driving
- Discipline and corrective action
- Supervision, leadership, and span of control
- Internal affairs and complaint procedures
- Domestic violence and mandatory arrest laws
A smart strategy is to build your core study blocks around these topics first, then branch out to supporting areas such as report writing, bias free policing, and crisis response.
As you read, pay attention to where policies overlap. A real exam question might mix use of force, supervision, and discipline in the same scenario, and expect you to recognize how each policy applies.