CFA Legal Authority & Use of Force 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The use-of-force continuum generally begins with which level?
- Lethal force
- Physical restraint
- Officer presence (Correct answer)
- Verbal commands
Correct answer: Officer presence
The use-of-force continuum typically starts with officer presence, which alone can deter non-compliance without any physical action.
Question 2: A subject grabs a field agent's arm. Under the force continuum, the agent may escalate to:
- Lethal force immediately
- A proportional physical control technique (Correct answer)
- Chemical agents without warning
- Firearm deployment as a deterrent
Correct answer: A proportional physical control technique
When a subject uses hands-on resistance, the officer may respond with proportional physical control techniques such as joint locks or takedowns.
Question 3: Which action best demonstrates de-escalation in a high-tension encounter?
- Issuing repeated rapid commands to disorient the subject
- Moving closer to the subject to establish dominance
- Speaking in a calm tone and giving the subject time to comply (Correct answer)
- Displaying a firearm to show serious intent
Correct answer: Speaking in a calm tone and giving the subject time to comply
Calm communication and allowing compliance time are proven de-escalation techniques that reduce the need for physical force.
Question 4: A field agent witnesses a fellow agent using clearly excessive force on a subdued suspect. The witnessing agent's legal and ethical duty is to:
- Report the incident only after the shift ends
- Intervene to stop the excessive force (Correct answer)
- Document the incident but take no immediate action
- Defer to the other agent's judgment in the field
Correct answer: Intervene to stop the excessive force
Officers have a duty to intervene when they witness another officer using clearly unconstitutional or excessive force.
Question 5: What distinguishes 'hard empty-hand control' from 'soft empty-hand control' in force terminology?
- Hard control uses weapons; soft control uses restraints
- Hard control involves strikes and takedowns; soft control uses compliance holds (Correct answer)
- Hard control requires supervisor approval; soft control does not
- Hard control is used on armed subjects only
Correct answer: Hard control involves strikes and takedowns; soft control uses compliance holds
Soft empty-hand control includes escort holds and compliance grips, while hard empty-hand control includes strikes, punches, and takedowns.
Question 6: When using a less-lethal weapon such as a TASER, an officer must consider which critical factor?
- Whether the subject has prior arrest history
- Whether the subject's medical condition could make the device lethal (Correct answer)
- Whether a supervisor is present on scene
- Whether the incident is being recorded
Correct answer: Whether the subject's medical condition could make the device lethal
Certain medical conditions, positions, or environments can make less-lethal devices lethal, requiring officers to assess these risks before deployment.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of documenting use-of-force incidents immediately after they occur?
- To satisfy media transparency requirements
- To establish an accurate factual record before memory degrades (Correct answer)
- To notify the subject's family promptly
- To trigger automatic internal affairs review
Correct answer: To establish an accurate factual record before memory degrades
Timely documentation creates an accurate factual record of the circumstances and justification for force used, which is critical for legal review.
CFA Legal Authority & Use of Force 3
The use-of-force continuum generally begins with which level?