When an officer is on the witness stand answering questions, the officer should:

• A. Refuse to answer
• B. Answer truthfully and concisely
• C. Provide personal opinions
• D. Answer only yes or no

Answer: (B)

Truthful, concise testimony is what’s expected when an officer answers questions on the witness stand. You should respond with the facts you know from observation or reliable records, keep your answers focused and to the point, and avoid guessing or adding personal opinions unless the question asks for an impression or interpretation. If you don’t know the answer, it’s better to say you don’t know than to guess. Refusing to answer is generally not appropriate unless there’s a legal privilege or protection that applies. Offering personal opinions isn’t appropriate in most testimony, since the record should reflect facts and admissible conclusions based on training and experience. Simply answering yes or no can miss important details and lead to misinterpretation, so provide a clear, direct answer that covers what’s necessary to understand the situation.