In written directives, which term describes the overall aims such as 'to protect and serve'?

• A. Goals
• B. Objectives
• C. Procedures
• D. Rules or regulations

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how written directives distinguish broad aims from specific steps or rules. The phrase “to protect and serve” expresses a broad, overarching purpose or end state—the mission the agency strives toward. That kind of broad end state is what we call goals: they describe what the organization aims to achieve in general terms.

In contrast, objectives would break that broad aim into specific, measurable targets to hit (for example, reducing response times by a certain amount). Procedures spell out the exact steps and methods to carry out tasks. Rules or regulations set binding standards that must be followed and describe allowed or prohibited actions. So the best term for those overall aims is goals because it captures the general direction and purpose of the directives rather than the how-to, the targets, or the rules.