MTA Use of Force 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is considered a 'less-lethal' weapon commonly used by transit police?
- Service pistol
- Conducted energy device (e.g., TASER) (Correct answer)
- Rifle
- Knife
Correct answer: Conducted energy device (e.g., TASER)
Conducted energy devices (CEDs) like TASERs are classified as less-lethal weapons because they are designed to incapacitate without causing death, though they carry some risk.
Question 2: Positional asphyxia is a risk that can occur when:
- A suspect is allowed to stand during arrest
- A restrained subject is placed in a position that restricts breathing, such as face-down with weight on their back (Correct answer)
- OC spray is deployed in open air
- An officer uses verbal commands on a calm subject
Correct answer: A restrained subject is placed in a position that restricts breathing, such as face-down with weight on their back
Positional asphyxia occurs when a restrained person's position compromises their ability to breathe, particularly when placed face-down with pressure on the back.
Question 3: An MTA officer uses OC (pepper) spray on a subject. After the subject is secured, the officer should:
- Leave the subject restrained without further attention
- Ensure the subject receives decontamination and medical attention if needed (Correct answer)
- Only call EMS if the subject loses consciousness
- Transfer the subject immediately without documentation
Correct answer: Ensure the subject receives decontamination and medical attention if needed
After OC spray use, officers must provide decontamination (flushing affected areas with water) and monitor the subject, offering medical attention if needed.
Question 4: Which of the following would most justify an officer's use of deadly force?
- A subject verbally threatens the officer but is 50 feet away and unarmed
- A subject armed with a knife charges at an officer from close range (Correct answer)
- A subject runs away after committing a minor theft
- A subject refuses to show identification
Correct answer: A subject armed with a knife charges at an officer from close range
An armed subject charging at close range presents an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury, which justifies the use of deadly force under the law.
Question 5: What does 'totality of circumstances' mean in a use of force evaluation?
- Only the final action of the officer is considered
- All facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time of the incident are considered together (Correct answer)
- Only the suspect's prior record is reviewed
- The evaluation focuses solely on the officer's training record
Correct answer: All facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time of the incident are considered together
Courts evaluate use of force based on the totality of all circumstances known to the officer at the moment force was used, not in hindsight.
Question 6: The 'duty to intervene' requires officers to:
- Use force in all situations where a crime is occurring
- Step in to stop another officer who is using clearly excessive or unjustified force (Correct answer)
- Report misconduct only after the end of a shift
- Avoid interfering with a senior officer's actions
Correct answer: Step in to stop another officer who is using clearly excessive or unjustified force
The duty to intervene obligates officers who witness another officer using clearly excessive or unlawful force to intervene and stop it.
Question 7: What is the primary reason warning shots are generally prohibited by most law enforcement agencies?
- They are too expensive
- They create an uncontrolled projectile danger to bystanders and are tactically unsound (Correct answer)
- They alert the media to incidents
- They reduce officer morale
Correct answer: They create an uncontrolled projectile danger to bystanders and are tactically unsound
Warning shots are prohibited because the uncontrolled bullet creates serious danger to bystanders, and the decision to fire should be justified by an actual threat requiring deadly force.
MTA Use of Force 2
Which of the following is considered a 'less-lethal' weapon commonly used by transit police?