🚨 The Cover-Up: What Would You Do?
An Interactive Scenario-Based Training Module
Instructions for Participants
You will be presented with a series of scenario-based questions. Each question reflects a critical moment or decision point in the investigation. Your role determines what information you have access to and what options are available. For each question, select the option that best reflects what you would do.
After completing all questions, reflect on how your decisions were influenced by your role, access, and ethical considerations.
Roles & Access Levels Recap
Role Materials Allowed
Civilian Public police statements, news reports, advocacy support, right to request records
Patrol Dispatch log, basic report, official narrative, no full evidence
Detective Patrol materials, partial forensic report, request forms, no direct victim interview
Internal Affairs (IA) Detective materials, redacted interviews, partial forensics, no direct victim access
Command Staff All above, unredacted interviews, full evidence, authority to direct or suppress investigation
Scenario Background (Common to All Roles)
Officer Taylor responded to a call at Jamie Lee's apartment. Jamie was found injured and claims excessive force was used by Taylor. Officer Taylor reports Jamie was aggressive and self-inflicted the injuries. Evidence such as body cam footage is missing. Witnesses report conflicting accounts. Internal Affairs has labeled the investigation "sensitive," and access to Jamie is restricted.
Question 1: Initial Reaction
You have just received the initial incident report and official narrative.
What do you do first?
A) Accept the official narrative and close the case.
B) Review the dispatch log and basic incident report for inconsistencies.
C) Try to contact Jamie Lee for her statement immediately.
D) Notify your supervisor about potential concerns with the report.
Question 2: You notice the body camera footage is missing and the report mentions "technical issues."
What is your next step?
A) Assume it's a genuine technical problem and proceed with the investigation.
B) Document the missing footage and request a formal explanation.
C) Ignore it since the officer's statement is official.
D) Inform an advocacy group or external oversight body about the missing footage.
Question 3: You are a Patrol Officer with access only to the basic report and official narrative.
You find inconsistencies between the officer's statement and witness accounts you overhear.
What do you do?
A) Report these inconsistencies up the chain of command.
B) Confront the officer directly about the inconsistencies.
C) Keep quiet to avoid conflict and follow orders.
D) Contact the victim's family to gather more information.
Question 4: As a Detective, you receive a partial forensic report showing blood type evidence inconsistent with the officer's timeline.
What is your best course of action?
A) Request the full forensic report and additional evidence access.
B) Accept the partial report and continue the investigation quietly.
C) Share your concerns with Internal Affairs immediately.
D) Close the case due to lack of full evidence.
Question 5: You are part of Internal Affairs and have heavily redacted interviews with Officer Taylor and Sergeant Ramirez, who ordered no questioning of the officer.
What do you do?
A) Accept the redacted interviews as final and close the case.
B) File a formal request to unredact key parts of the interviews.
C) Attempt to interview Jamie Lee despite restrictions.
D) Escalate the case to Command Staff for further review.
Question 6: As Command Staff with full access, you discover that Sergeant Ramirez altered the report and suppressed evidence.
What is your immediate response?
A) Cover up the findings to protect the department's reputation.
B) Initiate an independent investigation and notify oversight agencies.
C) Reprimand Sergeant Ramirez quietly without public disclosure.
D) Delay action until more evidence is gathered.
Question 7: You are a Civilian advocate following the case through public records and media reports.
You notice key evidence is withheld and the victim is denied access to investigators.
What would you do?
A) Organize a public awareness campaign using social media and hashtags.
B) File formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for evidence.
C) Contact legal counsel to explore litigation options.
D) All of the above.
Question 8: You want to question authority about denied access to evidence.
Which approach is the most respectful and effective?
A) Demand immediate access loudly and publicly.
B) Submit a formal written request asking for clarification.
C) Spread rumors to pressure officials.
D) Ignore the denial and try to access evidence unofficially.
Question 9: You suspect a cover-up but have limited clearance.
What is your best course of action?
A) Document all denied requests and suspicious activity carefully.
B) Attempt to bypass clearance restrictions to get evidence.
C) Resign in protest.
D) Accept the limitations and do nothing.
Question 10: You have the authority to direct the investigation.
How do you ensure integrity and transparency?
A) Share all evidence openly with all clearance levels and the public.
B) Keep sensitive information restricted to protect privacy but allow independent review.
C) Suppress controversial evidence to maintain department image.
D) Delegate the investigation to a third party and avoid involvement.
Question 11: You are a Patrol Officer and overhear a colleague discussing altering reports.
What do you do?
A) Report the conversation to Internal Affairs immediately.
B) Confront the colleague privately.
C) Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict.
D) Discuss concerns with a trusted supervisor.
Question 12: You are a Detective and receive a request from an advocacy group for case information.
How do you respond?
A) Deny the request citing "sensitive" classification.
B) Provide all available public information and direct them to official channels.
C) Leak confidential information to the group.
D) Ignore the request.
Question 13: You are Internal Affairs and suspect Sergeant Ramirez is interfering with the investigation.
What is your next step?
A) Document your suspicions and escalate to Command Staff.
B) Confront Sergeant Ramirez directly.
C) Ignore the interference to avoid conflict.
D) Leak information to the media.
Question 14: You are Command Staff and want to improve future investigations.
Which policy would you implement?
A) Mandatory transparency reports on sensitive investigations.
B) Increased restrictions on evidence access.
C) Limit public communication to avoid controversy.
D) Allow supervisors to decide on a case-by-case basis.
Question 15: You are a Civilian witnessing the process.
How can you respectfully advocate for justice?
A) Use social media hashtags like #JusticeForAll and #KnowYourRights to raise awareness.
B) Attend public meetings and ask questions.
C) Collaborate with activist groups like #ACLU or #HumanRightsWatch.
D) All of the above.
Reflection & Debrief
After answering, reflect on:
How did your role and access affect your decisions?
What barriers did you encounter?
How would you handle suspected cover-ups in real life?
What does this exercise reveal about justice, integrity, and responsibility?
How can respectful questioning of authority promote accountability?
Hashtags for Use & Sharing
#JusticeForAll #KnowYourRights #HumanRights #TransparencyMatters #AccountabilityNow #ACLU #NAACP #BLM #AmnestyInternational #CommunityJustice #PoliceReform #SpeakUp #NoMoreCoverUps
Facilitator Notes
Assign participants roles before starting.
Provide role-specific materials aligned with their clearance.
Encourage discussion after each question or at the end.
Use breakout rooms for role-based group discussion.
Facilitate a final debrief focusing on ethical dilemmas and systemic barriers.
Digital Tools Suggestions
Google Forms or SurveyMonkey for interactive quizzes.
Zoom/Teams breakout rooms for role discussions.
Jamboard or Miro for evidence mapping.
Live polls for group consensus or opinion tracking.
End of Module