Use of Force Policies Flashcards
7 cards from real FBI 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 Policies flashcards as text
Under FBI policy, when may an agent use deadly force against a fleeing suspect?
Answer: Only when the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury to the agent or others
FBI deadly force policy mirrors the Tennessee v. Garner standard — deadly force on a fleeing suspect is justified only when there is probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury.
The concept of 'objectively reasonable' force in law enforcement is derived primarily from which legal standard?
Answer: Graham v. Connor (1989)
Graham v. Connor (1989) established the 'objectively reasonable' Fourth Amendment standard for evaluating law enforcement use of force.
Which factor is NOT typically considered under the Graham v. Connor three-factor test for reasonableness of force?
Answer: The officer's subjective belief about the suspect's guilt
Graham v. Connor requires an objective analysis — the officer's subjective belief or intent is not one of the three enumerated factors.
An FBI agent encounters a suspect who is armed but not yet pointing a weapon at anyone. What best describes the appropriate force calculus?
Answer: The agent must assess whether the totality of circumstances presents an imminent threat
FBI policy requires agents to assess the totality of circumstances, including whether an armed suspect's actions or positioning create an imminent threat, before employing deadly force.
What is the purpose of the FBI's 'threat assessment' step before employing force?
Answer: To determine the appropriate level of force proportional to the perceived threat
Threat assessment allows the agent to select a proportional and objectively reasonable level of force aligned with the nature and immediacy of the threat.
FBI policy generally requires that less-lethal options be considered before using deadly force. This principle is known as:
Answer: Force continuum / use-of-force continuum
The use-of-force continuum guides officers to consider and apply less-lethal options before escalating to deadly force when circumstances allow.
After using force, an FBI agent's first mandatory action (once the scene is safe) is to:
Answer: Provide or request immediate medical assistance for any injured persons
FBI policy and general law enforcement standards require that medical assistance be rendered or requested for injured persons as soon as the scene is safe, before administrative reporting steps.