Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

True or False: If law enforcement officials are unable to move forward in an investigation, this should not be a reason for closing that case.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if new evidence is discovered

4. Only for child abuse cases

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true because law enforcement investigations can encounter various challenges that may stall progress, but that does not inherently justify closing a case. Investigations can often remain open until sufficient evidence is collected or until a conclusive outcome has been reached, regardless of the current status. Keeping a case open allows for the possibility of new evidence coming to light or new leads emerging that could provide direction for the investigation. Additionally, certain cases may take time due to the complexity of the situation, availability of resources, or other legal considerations. Therefore, the principle of keeping options open in the pursuit of justice supports the truthfulness of the statement. While there may be protocols for reviewing case statuses, the fundamental idea remains that the inability to progress should not serve as a definitive reason to close a case. This perspective encourages law enforcement to remain diligent and proactive in their efforts, maintaining open lines of inquiry even when challenges arise.