CFA Legal Authority & Use of Force 2

Question 1

The Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor established that use of force by law enforcement must be evaluated under which constitutional standard?

Accepted Answer

Objective reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment

Answer

Graham v. Connor (1989) held that excessive force claims are analyzed under the Fourth Amendment's objective reasonableness standard, not subjective intent.

Question 2

Under Tennessee v. Garner, when may an officer use deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect?

Accepted Answer

When there is probable cause the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious injury

Answer

Tennessee v. Garner limits deadly force on fleeing suspects to situations where the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury.

Question 3

Which factor is NOT one of the Graham v. Connor factors used to assess force reasonableness?

Accepted Answer

The officer's years of service and training level

Answer

The three Graham factors are: crime severity, immediate threat posed, and active resistance/evasion — officer experience is not a Graham factor.

Question 4

A field agent confronts an unarmed subject who is verbally hostile but not physically aggressive. What is the most appropriate initial response?

Accepted Answer

Use verbal de-escalation and maintain safe distance

Answer

Verbal de-escalation is the appropriate response to verbal hostility without physical threat, consistent with use-of-force continuum principles.

Question 5

42 U.S.C. § 1983 allows individuals to sue government officials for which type of violation?

Accepted Answer

Deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law

Answer

Section 1983 provides a civil cause of action against persons who deprive others of federally protected rights while acting under color of state law.

CFA Practice Test

CFA Practice Test

CFA Legal Authority & Use of Force 2