Non-cognizable offenses require authorization in the form of what?

• A. A police memo.
• B. A warrant or magistrate's order.
• C. No authorization is needed.
• D. A court verdict.

Answer: (B)

Non-cognizable offenses limit police power to act without judicial approval. For these offenses, the police must obtain authorization from a magistrate before investigating or arresting, and the typical form of that authorization is a warrant or a magistrate’s order. This ensures there is due process and judicial oversight before action is taken in less serious crimes. A police memo does not carry the legal force to empower such action, and saying no authorization is needed ignores the protective framework for non-cognizable offenses. A court verdict is something that happens after a trial and does not authorize preliminary investigation.