Use of Force Principles Flashcards

Under Graham v. Connor (1989), an officer's use of force is judged by which legal standard?

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

Graham v. Connor established that force is judged by objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not hindsight.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three Graham factors used to assess reasonableness of force?

Answer: The officer's level of fatigue

The three Graham factors are crime severity, immediate threat, and active resistance or flight; officer fatigue is not a factor.

The concept that officers should use only the amount of force necessary and reduce it as resistance decreases is called:

Answer: Proportionality

Proportionality requires force to match the level of threat and decrease as resistance subsides.

A suspect complies fully with verbal commands and offers no resistance. What level of force is appropriate?

Answer: Officer presence and verbal direction only

A compliant subject requires only officer presence and verbal commands at the lowest level of the force continuum.

Deadly force is generally justified only when:

Answer: The officer reasonably believes there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm

Deadly force requires a reasonable belief of an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or others.

Tennessee v. Garner (1985) limited the use of deadly force against:

Answer: A fleeing, unarmed, non-dangerous felony suspect

Tennessee v. Garner held that deadly force may not be used against a fleeing felon who poses no immediate threat of serious harm.

The duty to intervene requires an officer who witnesses excessive force by a fellow officer to:

Answer: Take reasonable action to stop it and report it

Officers have an affirmative duty to intervene to stop excessive force and to report it.