Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

In an interview situation, if an individual needs to take medication and you deprive them of it until they consent to speak, what does this constitute?

1. Coercion

2. Permission

3. Collaboration

4. Consent

The correct answer is: Coercion

The situation described involves withholding necessary medication from an individual until they agree to participate in an interview. This act constitutes coercion because it involves using undue pressure or manipulation to achieve compliance or cooperation from the individual. Coercion undermines the individual's ability to freely choose whether or not to participate, as their basic needs are being exploited to force a decision. The ethical and legal implications of coercion are significant, particularly in law enforcement and investigative contexts, where voluntary participation is essential for the integrity of the process and the rights of the individual. In this scenario, true consent cannot be obtained under duress, as the individual's health and well-being are being manipulated to elicit a desired response. Thus, the correct designation of this conduct as coercion highlights the importance of maintaining ethical standards in interactions with individuals, ensuring that any engagement is conducted fairly and without exploitation.