Law Enforcement Use of Force and Tactics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A conducted electrical weapon (CEW/TASER) in probe mode works primarily by:
- Causing pain compliance only
- Overriding the central nervous system to cause neuromuscular incapacitation (Correct answer)
- Heating the skin
- Delivering a chemical agent
Correct answer: Overriding the central nervous system to cause neuromuscular incapacitation
In probe mode, a CEW causes neuromuscular incapacitation by disrupting the body's electrical signals to muscles.
Question 2: Positional asphyxia is a risk when a subject is:
- Handcuffed and seated upright
- Restrained face-down (prone) for a prolonged period, especially after exertion (Correct answer)
- Standing against a wall
- Walking to a patrol car
Correct answer: Restrained face-down (prone) for a prolonged period, especially after exertion
Prolonged prone restraint can restrict breathing and cause positional asphyxia, so subjects should be moved to a recovery position promptly.
Question 3: OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray primarily causes:
- Permanent blindness
- Involuntary eye closure, burning, and respiratory irritation (Correct answer)
- Neuromuscular incapacitation
- Loss of consciousness
Correct answer: Involuntary eye closure, burning, and respiratory irritation
OC spray inflames mucous membranes causing involuntary eye closure, intense burning, and respiratory discomfort.
Question 4: A baton strike to which area is generally prohibited except in deadly-force situations?
- Common peroneal (outer thigh)
- Forearm
- Head, neck, spine, and groin (Correct answer)
- Calf
Correct answer: Head, neck, spine, and groin
Strikes to the head, neck, spine, and groin can cause serious injury or death and are reserved for deadly-force situations.
Question 5: Before deploying a CEW, an officer should generally consider that it may be less effective against subjects who are:
- Wearing thin clothing
- Heavily intoxicated, drug-affected, or wearing thick/loose clothing (Correct answer)
- Calm and compliant
- Standing still
Correct answer: Heavily intoxicated, drug-affected, or wearing thick/loose clothing
Thick or loose clothing and certain drug states can reduce probe contact and CEW effectiveness.
Question 6: The primary purpose of issuing a clear verbal warning before using force when feasible is to:
- Intimidate bystanders
- Give the subject an opportunity to comply and reduce the need for force (Correct answer)
- Satisfy paperwork only
- Delay the arrest
Correct answer: Give the subject an opportunity to comply and reduce the need for force
A warning, when feasible, gives the subject a chance to comply and can prevent escalation to force.
Question 7: Excited delirium presents a medical emergency because affected subjects may:
- Calm down quickly with restraint
- Exhibit extreme agitation, high body temperature, and risk of sudden cardiac arrest (Correct answer)
- Feel pain more acutely
- Always be intoxicated by alcohol
Correct answer: Exhibit extreme agitation, high body temperature, and risk of sudden cardiac arrest
Subjects in such crisis can experience hyperthermia, extreme agitation, and sudden death, requiring urgent medical intervention.
Law Enforcement Use of Force and Tactics 3
A conducted electrical weapon (CEW/TASER) in probe mode works primarily by: