Use of Force Principles Flashcards

The 'reasonable officer' standard means force is evaluated based on:

Answer: Facts and circumstances known to the officer at the moment force was used

Reasonableness is assessed on the facts known to the officer at the time, not later-discovered information.

Which scenario most clearly justifies the use of deadly force?

Answer: A suspect points a firearm at the officer at close range

A suspect pointing a firearm at the officer presents an imminent threat of death or serious harm, justifying deadly force.

A use-of-force continuum is intended to:

Answer: Guide officers in selecting a force response proportional to resistance

The force continuum is a guideline matching the officer's response to the subject's level of resistance.

Excessive force is best defined as:

Answer: Force that exceeds what is objectively reasonable under the circumstances

Excessive force is that which goes beyond what an objectively reasonable officer would use given the circumstances.

Most use-of-force policies require that once a subject is handcuffed and compliant, officers must:

Answer: Stop applying force and monitor the subject's condition

Once a subject is restrained and compliant, force must stop and officers must monitor for medical distress.

The 21-foot principle (Tueller drill) is often cited to illustrate:

Answer: How quickly an edged-weapon attacker can close distance on an officer

The Tueller drill demonstrates that a person with an edged weapon can cover roughly 21 feet before an officer can draw and fire, informing threat assessment.

Which document typically governs how a specific agency's officers may use force?

Answer: The department's use-of-force policy

Each agency maintains a use-of-force policy that, within constitutional limits, governs officer conduct.