BSCC Use of Force Principles Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a recognized de-escalation technique correctional officers should attempt before using physical force?
- Issuing multiple simultaneous commands to confuse the subject
- Speaking calmly, offering options, and reducing environmental stimuli (Correct answer)
- Gathering additional officers before making any contact
- Immediately separating the subject from all peers
Correct answer: Speaking calmly, offering options, and reducing environmental stimuli
De-escalation includes calm verbal communication, offering choices, and minimizing stressors that may be driving the behavior.
Question 2: Under BSCC regulations, use of force on a mentally ill detainee in crisis requires:
- The same response as for any other detainee without modification
- Consideration of modified tactics and, where possible, mental health staff involvement (Correct answer)
- Automatic authorization for higher-level force due to unpredictability
- Immediate transfer to a psychiatric hospital before any force is applied
Correct answer: Consideration of modified tactics and, where possible, mental health staff involvement
BSCC standards recognize that officers should adapt tactics for individuals experiencing mental health crises and involve mental health staff when available.
Question 3: A facility supervisor reviewing a use-of-force report finds that force was used appropriately but documentation was incomplete. The supervisor should:
- Approve the report as written since the force was justified
- Return the report for correction and note the documentation deficiency (Correct answer)
- Destroy the incomplete report to protect the officer
- Forward the report to the DA without notifying the officer
Correct answer: Return the report for correction and note the documentation deficiency
Supervisors must ensure reports are complete and accurate; an incomplete report must be returned for correction even when the underlying force was proper.
Question 4: Which scenario would MOST clearly constitute excessive force in a correctional setting?
- Using handcuffs on a detainee who is threatening staff
- Striking a fully restrained, compliant detainee as punishment (Correct answer)
- Applying a takedown to stop an assault in progress
- Using a firm grip to guide a resistive detainee to a cell
Correct answer: Striking a fully restrained, compliant detainee as punishment
Striking a compliant, restrained detainee serves no penological purpose and constitutes punishment, which is prohibited excessive force.
Question 5: Which term describes the principle that force should stop once a threat is controlled and compliance is achieved?
- Force escalation
- Proportional cessation (Correct answer)
- Continuing force doctrine
- Sustained resistance protocol
Correct answer: Proportional cessation
Officers must discontinue force proportionally as the threat diminishes; continuing force after compliance is achieved becomes excessive.
Question 6: A jail administrator receives a complaint that officers are using a chokehold prohibited by facility policy. The FIRST step should be:
- Wait for a second complaint before investigating
- Conduct an immediate administrative review and preserve evidence (Correct answer)
- Transfer the complaining detainee to another facility
- Issue a policy memo reminding staff of the prohibition
Correct answer: Conduct an immediate administrative review and preserve evidence
Credible complaints of prohibited force require prompt administrative investigation and evidence preservation before any corrective action.
Question 7: Under the BSCC framework, which of the following BEST describes the purpose of use-of-force incident reviews?
- To identify officers for termination as quickly as possible
- To assess whether force was necessary, proportionate, and compliant with policy (Correct answer)
- To protect the facility from civil liability only
- To provide a public record of all force incidents for media access
Correct answer: To assess whether force was necessary, proportionate, and compliant with policy
Administrative reviews examine whether force met the standards of necessity, proportionality, and policy compliance to support accountability and improvement.
BSCC Use of Force Principles Questions and Answers 5
Which of the following is a recognized de-escalation technique correctional officers should attempt before using physical force?