Use of Force & Defensive Tactics Flashcards

An officer is confronted by a subject armed with a knife who is 15 feet away and advancing. This situation is best described as:

Answer: An immediate threat justifying consideration of deadly force

The 21-foot rule (Tueller drill) established that an armed attacker within 21 feet can close distance before an officer can draw and fire; a knife at 15 feet advancing represents an immediate deadly threat.

Which of the following best describes 'force multipliers' in defensive tactics?

Answer: Tools or techniques that increase an officer's effectiveness beyond bare-hands capability

Force multipliers are weapons, tools, or techniques (OC spray, batons, TASERs) that increase an officer's ability to control a situation beyond what bare-hands alone provide.

When handcuffing a subject, double-locking the cuffs is important because it:

Answer: Prevents the cuffs from tightening further and injuring the subject

Double-locking handcuffs sets a mechanism that prevents the ratchet from continuing to tighten, protecting the subject from wrist injury during transport.

Under NJ law, a civilian who uses force to resist an unlawful arrest by an officer acting in good faith:

Answer: May face criminal charges for the resistance itself

New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4) limits the right to resist an arrest; resisting even an unlawful arrest can result in criminal charges when the officer is acting in good faith.

During a foot pursuit, an officer loses visual contact with the fleeing suspect who then turns and charges at the officer from an ambush position. The officer may use deadly force if:

Answer: The suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm

Regardless of how a pursuit began, if a suspect creates an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm during the encounter, deadly force may be justified.

Which statement about shooting at moving vehicles is correct under NJ Attorney General use of force guidelines?

Answer: It is generally prohibited unless occupants pose a deadly threat independent of the vehicle

NJ AG policy generally prohibits firing at moving vehicles because it is rarely effective and creates danger to bystanders, unless occupants pose a separate deadly threat (e.g., shooting from the vehicle).

A subject suddenly produces a weapon during a pat-down. The officer's trained response should prioritize:

Answer: Controlling the subject's weapon hand while creating distance or calling for backup

Defensive tactics training teaches officers to control the weapon hand immediately upon discovery during a pat-down to prevent the subject from deploying it, while simultaneously seeking assistance.