DCJS Use of Force Principles 2

Question 1

Under Virginia law, which standard is used to evaluate whether an officer's use of force was justified?

Accepted Answer

Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene

Answer

Subjective belief of the officer alone

Answer

Whether the suspect was ultimately found guilty

Answer

Whether the officer followed department policy exactly

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The suspect's prior criminal history known before the encounter

Answer

Severity of the crime at issue

Answer

Whether the suspect posed an immediate threat

Answer

Whether the suspect was actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest

Question 3

An officer uses deadly force against a fleeing felon. Under Tennessee v. Garner, this is constitutionally permissible ONLY if:

Accepted Answer

The officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical harm to others

Answer

Any felony suspect attempts to flee

Answer

The officer has a hunch the suspect committed a violent crime

Answer

The suspect refuses all verbal commands before fleeing

Question 4

A subject is passively resisting by going limp and refusing to walk. The appropriate level of force is generally:

Accepted Answer

Soft empty-hand control and compliant escort techniques

Answer

Deadly force, as the officer's authority is being challenged

Answer

Hard empty-hand control techniques immediately

Answer

No force is permitted until the subject becomes violent

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of de-escalation techniques in use-of-force encounters?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the need for or level of force by stabilizing the situation

Answer

To allow suspects to escape while paperwork is completed

Answer

To transfer responsibility for force decisions to dispatch

Answer

To delay arrest until backup arrives in all circumstances

Question 6

Virginia's DCJS standards require officers to use force that is:

Accepted Answer

Proportional to the threat and the minimum necessary to accomplish the lawful objective

Answer

Maximum force to ensure officer safety in every encounter

Answer

Equal to the force used by the subject regardless of officer training

Answer

Approved in advance by a supervisor for each type of incident

Question 7

After any use of force, a Virginia law enforcement officer is required to:

Accepted Answer

Document the incident and notify a supervisor as required by agency policy

Answer

Immediately leave the scene to file the report remotely

Answer

Only report the incident if the subject is hospitalized

Answer

Wait 72 hours before submitting any documentation