Legal Authority & Use of Force Flashcards
7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal Authority & Use of Force flashcards as text
A mentally ill subject is threatening self-harm but not threatening others. Which approach aligns with current best practices for field agents?
Answer: Crisis intervention techniques and request mental health resources
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) techniques and coordination with mental health resources are the recommended approach for subjects in mental health crisis.
An agent is executing a lawful arrest and the suspect goes limp and refuses to walk. This is classified as which type of resistance?
Answer: Passive resistance
Going limp or dead-weight refusal to move is passive resistance, which warrants a lower force response than active aggression.
Under the Fourth Amendment, what level of suspicion is required to briefly detain and pat-down a suspect for weapons (Terry stop)?
Answer: Reasonable articulable suspicion
Terry v. Ohio established that reasonable articulable suspicion — specific, articulable facts — justifies a brief investigatory stop and pat-down for officer safety.
An agent is involved in a use-of-force incident. Which action should happen FIRST after the immediate threat is resolved?
Answer: Secure the scene and provide medical attention if needed
After force is used, the first priority is securing the scene and ensuring medical attention is rendered to any injured persons.
Which scenario would most likely be found to constitute excessive force by a reviewing court?
Answer: Continuing to strike a fully restrained, non-resistant suspect
Striking a fully restrained, non-resistant subject is textbook excessive force because there is no ongoing threat to justify continued use of force.
The concept of 'totality of the circumstances' in use-of-force law means:
Answer: All relevant facts and context are considered together in assessing reasonableness
Courts weigh all relevant facts and circumstances together — no single factor is automatically dispositive in assessing force reasonableness.
When may a field agent use force to effect a lawful arrest?
Answer: When reasonably necessary to overcome resistance or effect the arrest
Agents may use the force reasonably necessary to overcome resistance and complete a lawful arrest, calibrated to the level of resistance encountered.