MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is a crucial factor in determining if an anonymous tip is valid?

1. The length of the tip

2. Corroboration with officer observations

3. The identity of the caller

4. Details of prior communications

The correct answer is: Corroboration with officer observations

To determine the validity of an anonymous tip, corroboration with officer observations plays a crucial role. This means that law enforcement must be able to independently verify or support the information provided in the anonymous tip through their own observations or evidence. The principle underlying this is that anonymous tips, by nature, lack accountability, so their reliability can be assessed more effectively when they correlate with what officers observe or encounter in the field. If an anonymous tip can be substantiated by the observations of law enforcement—such as witnessing suspicious behavior or finding corroborative evidence at a particular location—it enhances the credibility of the tip. This corroboration can help establish probable cause for further investigation or action. Therefore, it is essential to have this additional layer of verification when addressing tips that come without identifying information about the source.