Searching Policy and Asking Questions in TruAssist

TruAssist isn’t just for field‑notes—it also acts as a real‑time research assistant that searches departmental policies, state statutes and other reference materials. Officers can ask quick questions about use‑of‑force, investigative procedures or uniform requirements and receive concise answers with citations. They can also pose scenario‑based queries (for example, how to handle a suspected DUI stop or whether a situation meets exigent‑circumstances requirements) and get guidance grounded in departmental policy. For training, TruAssist can even generate multiple‑choice questions about your agency’s policies.

Key steps

• Access Quick Actions or start typing – In the TruAssist tab, a panel of Quick Actions lets you jump straight to common tasks like looking up a policy or statute, uploading policy documents or generating test questions. You can also type or dictate your own question in the text box at the bottom of the chat window.
• Ask about a policy – Type a direct question such as “What is my use of force policy?” TruAssist searches your uploaded policies and returns a summary with key points and citations.
• Pose a scenario – If you need guidance for a specific situation, describe it plainly (e.g., “I have someone pulled over for a suspected DUI stop. What should I look for when I approach the vehicle?”). TruAssist provides a checklist of considerations based on training and policy.
• Seek legal or procedure guidance – For complex calls, ask whether your proposed action is permissible under your policies or statutes. TruAssist looks up the relevant doctrine (such as exigent circumstances) and explains when it applies.
• Ask follow‑up questions – Continue the conversation to refine guidance or explore what factors strengthen or weaken the justification for your actions.
• Generate test questions – For policy review or exam prep, ask TruAssist to create multiple‑choice questions about a given policy. The assistant will produce questions and answers that you can use for training.

How it works

1. Open TruAssist and review Quick Actions – In the TruAssist tab you’ll see a list of blue buttons labeled with common tasks—such as asking about a policy or statute, generating case summaries, reviewing body‑cam videos or producing test questions. These shortcuts help you get started quickly.
2. Ask a direct policy question – In the chat field at the bottom, type a question like “What is my use of force policy?” TruAssist returns a concise description of the policy’s purpose and requirements. In the example shown, the assistant emphasizes preserving human life and the limitations on force. Click the Sources link to view the policy documents cited.
3. Request scenario‑based guidance – Describe your situation in natural language. For instance, asking “I have someone pulled over for a suspected DUI stop—what should I be looking for when I approach the vehicle?” prompts TruAssist to list key steps: choose a safe stop location, observe occupant behavior before making contact, document driving and stop behavior, assess the vehicle interior and maintain a tactical advantage.
4. Inquire about legal authority – When faced with uncertain legal ground, pose a question like “We see a minor through a window who appears distressed; can we enter the home without a warrant to help?” TruAssist identifies the relevant doctrine—such as the emergency‑aid or exigent‑circumstances exception—and explains the criteria officers must articulate before entering.
5. Refine through follow‑up questions – You can ask additional questions to clarify whether new facts change the analysis. In the example, after learning the minor is crying and banging their head, the officer asks whether this strengthens the exigent‑circumstances claim. TruAssist confirms that such behaviour can increase the immediacy of the danger.
6. Generate training quizzes – To reinforce learning, ask TruAssist to create multiple‑choice questions about a policy. When the officer requests test questions about the uniform policy, TruAssist returns a set of questions with answer choices that mirror exam prep.

Summary

TruAssist serves as a virtual policy‑research assistant. Officers can ask direct questions, describe scenarios or generate training quizzes, and TruAssist will search departmental policies and statutes to provide clear, concise answers with citations. By leveraging quick actions, natural language queries and follow‑up questions, officers get guidance on procedures, legal authority and policy compliance without leaving the TruAssist interface. This helps them make informed decisions in the field and prepare for policy exams, all while maintaining confidentiality and transparency.