DPSST Firearms and Use of Force 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a DPSST firearms qualification course?
- To punish officers who fail to meet standards
- To verify that officers can safely and accurately deploy their firearm under realistic conditions (Correct answer)
- To test knowledge of firearms history
- To rank officers by shooting skill for promotion purposes
Correct answer: To verify that officers can safely and accurately deploy their firearm under realistic conditions
Firearms qualification courses are designed to ensure officers can deploy their weapons safely and accurately under conditions that simulate real-world scenarios.
Question 2: Under Oregon law and DPSST guidelines, an officer who uses force must document the incident in a report. When should this report be completed?
- Within 72 hours of the incident
- At the end of the officer's shift or as soon as practical (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days of the incident
- Only if the suspect files a complaint
Correct answer: At the end of the officer's shift or as soon as practical
Use of force reports must be completed at the end of the involved officer's shift or as soon as reasonably practical to ensure accuracy while events are fresh.
Question 3: Which condition most clearly justifies transitioning from intermediate force to deadly force?
- A suspect who refuses to sit down
- A subject who displays a weapon and threatens to kill the officer (Correct answer)
- A suspect who uses profanity toward an officer
- A subject who runs from a traffic stop
Correct answer: A subject who displays a weapon and threatens to kill the officer
An armed subject who actively threatens lethal harm creates an imminent threat to life, justifying escalation to deadly force.
Question 4: The DPSST Basic Police Course requires recruits to achieve a minimum passing score on the firearms qualification. What does a recruit who fails to qualify typically face?
- Automatic certification revocation
- Additional remedial training and an opportunity to re-qualify (Correct answer)
- Immediate termination of employment
- A permanent bar from law enforcement careers
Correct answer: Additional remedial training and an opportunity to re-qualify
Recruits who do not pass firearms qualification are generally provided remedial training and additional attempts to meet the standard before further action is taken.
Question 5: 'Less-lethal' force options used by Oregon law enforcement officers certified by DPSST include which of the following?
- Handguns loaded with rubber bullets as a primary sidearm
- OC spray, conducted energy devices (CEDs), and impact projectiles (Correct answer)
- Firearms with blank rounds only
- Verbal commands issued over a loudspeaker only
Correct answer: OC spray, conducted energy devices (CEDs), and impact projectiles
DPSST-approved less-lethal options include OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, conducted energy devices like TASERs, and impact munitions such as beanbag rounds.
Question 6: When an officer fires a warning shot, this action is generally considered:
- A standard de-escalation tactic approved by DPSST
- A prohibited or discouraged practice under most agency policies because the bullet must land somewhere (Correct answer)
- Required before using deadly force
- An intermediate use of force option
Correct answer: A prohibited or discouraged practice under most agency policies because the bullet must land somewhere
Warning shots are discouraged or prohibited under most DPSST-aligned agency policies because a fired round must land somewhere, creating unacceptable risk to bystanders.
Question 7: After an officer is involved in a critical incident involving use of deadly force, DPSST standards support providing the officer with:
- Immediate termination pending investigation
- Critical incident stress management (CISM) resources and psychological support (Correct answer)
- Assignment to a desk job permanently
- A firearms requalification before returning to duty is the only requirement
Correct answer: Critical incident stress management (CISM) resources and psychological support
DPSST and best-practice standards recognize the psychological impact of critical incidents and mandate access to CISM resources and mental health support for involved officers.
DPSST Firearms and Use of Force 2
What is the primary purpose of a DPSST firearms qualification course?