Use of Force & Defensive Tactics Flashcards
7 cards from real CO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Use of Force & Defensive Tactics flashcards as text
A correctional officer witnesses a colleague applying a chokehold to a compliant, restrained inmate. The observing officer should:
Answer: Intervene verbally and report the incident through the chain of command
Officers have a duty to intervene when they witness excessive force and must report the incident, as failure to act can constitute a civil rights violation.
Which restraint device is commonly used in corrections to prevent an inmate from biting or spitting on staff?
Answer: Bite guard / spit mask
A spit mask or bite guard covers the inmate's mouth and nose area to prevent biting or spitting on staff during transport or cell movements.
In corrections, 'de-escalation' is best described as:
Answer: Using communication strategies to reduce tension before force becomes necessary
De-escalation involves using verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to reduce tension and resolve situations without physical force.
An officer is threatened by an inmate wielding a homemade knife (shank). Which response is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Create distance, issue commands, and call for backup while drawing an authorized defensive tool
Creating distance, issuing commands, calling for backup, and using authorized tools reduces injury risk while managing the armed threat.
Which of the following BEST describes the 'totality of circumstances' in a use-of-force evaluation?
Answer: All facts known to the officer at the time of the incident are considered
Courts and investigators consider all facts reasonably known to the officer at the time of the incident when evaluating the appropriateness of force.
What is the key difference between 'restraint' and 'punishment' when using force in a correctional setting?
Answer: Restraint maintains order or safety; punishment for misconduct through force is prohibited
Using force to maintain safety or security is lawful restraint, while using force to punish an inmate for past misconduct is prohibited under the Eighth Amendment.
Which statement about the use of deadly force in a correctional facility is MOST accurate?
Answer: Deadly force is only justified to prevent death or serious bodily harm
Deadly force is a last resort and is only legally justified to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or others.