LEO may direct transient occupant to surrender possession after receipt of a ______ from the property owner.

• A. sworn statement
• B. lease agreement
• C. eviction notice
• D. verbal authorization

Answer: (A)

A sworn statement from the property owner provides a verified, legally recognized authorization for police to act. When the owner signs an affidavit or sworn statement, it under oath asserts ownership and directs the occupant to vacate. That sworn, on-the-record claim gives the officer a credible basis to require the occupant to surrender possession on scene. A lease agreement shows a contractual relationship but doesn’t by itself grant police authority to remove someone. An eviction notice often follows formal eviction steps and may require a court order or writ to be enforceable, so it isn’t as immediately actionable in the moment. Verbal authorization lacks verifiable proof and isn’t reliably enforceable. So the sworn statement is the strongest, on-scene basis for directing surrender.