MTA Use of Force 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The legal standard established in Graham v. Connor (1989) for evaluating police use of force is based on:
- Subjective intent of the officer
- Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene (Correct answer)
- The outcome of the encounter
- The suspect's criminal history
Correct answer: Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene
Graham v. Connor held that use of force must be judged by the 'objective reasonableness' standard under the Fourth Amendment, not the officer's subjective intent.
Question 2: Under Tennessee v. Garner (1985), an officer may use deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect only if:
- The suspect is wanted for any felony
- The suspect poses no immediate threat
- The officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury (Correct answer)
- The supervisor authorizes the use of deadly force
Correct answer: The officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury
Tennessee v. Garner limits deadly force against fleeing suspects to situations where the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury.
Question 3: Which of the following best defines the Use of Force Continuum?
- A list of prohibited force techniques
- A framework that guides officers in selecting force options proportional to the level of resistance encountered (Correct answer)
- A requirement that officers always attempt the highest level of force first
- A policy mandating verbal warnings before any physical contact
Correct answer: A framework that guides officers in selecting force options proportional to the level of resistance encountered
The Use of Force Continuum is a framework that outlines escalating force options matched to a subject's level of resistance, guiding officers to use proportional responses.
Question 4: An MTA Police officer is confronted by a suspect who is actively resisting arrest but has not displayed a weapon. Which force option is generally most appropriate at this stage?
- Firearm
- Verbal commands only
- Soft empty-hand control techniques (Correct answer)
- Deadly force
Correct answer: Soft empty-hand control techniques
Active resistance without a weapon typically calls for soft empty-hand control techniques, which are proportional to the level of resistance without escalating to more serious force.
Question 5: De-escalation in policing refers to:
- Retreating from all confrontations
- Using tactics and communication strategies to reduce the intensity of a situation and minimize the need for force (Correct answer)
- Waiting for backup before taking any action
- Ignoring warning signs to avoid confrontation
Correct answer: Using tactics and communication strategies to reduce the intensity of a situation and minimize the need for force
De-escalation involves using communication, time, and tactics to reduce tension and resolve situations with the least force necessary.
Question 6: Which of the following factors is considered when determining whether force used was reasonable?
- The officer's personal feelings about the suspect
- The severity of the crime, immediate threat to safety, and whether the suspect is actively resisting (Correct answer)
- The suspect's past criminal convictions only
- Whether the incident was witnessed by other officers
Correct answer: The severity of the crime, immediate threat to safety, and whether the suspect is actively resisting
Graham v. Connor identified three key factors: severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and whether the suspect is actively resisting or evading arrest.
Question 7: After any use of force incident, an MTA Police officer is typically required to:
- Leave the scene immediately to avoid further conflict
- Complete a use of force report documenting the incident (Correct answer)
- Only report the incident if the suspect was injured
- Notify the media about the incident
Correct answer: Complete a use of force report documenting the incident
Officers are required to document all use of force incidents in a report, which ensures accountability, allows supervisory review, and creates a legal record.
MTA Use of Force 1
The legal standard established in Graham v.
Connor (1989) for evaluating police use of force is based on: