NJ LEE Use of Force & Defensive Tactics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor does NOT affect the reasonableness of force used by an officer under the Graham v. Connor analysis?
- Severity of the crime at issue
- The officer's personal feelings about the suspect (Correct answer)
- Whether the suspect poses an immediate threat
- Whether the suspect is actively resisting
Correct answer: The officer's personal feelings about the suspect
Graham v. Connor identifies three primary factors — severity of crime, immediate threat, and active resistance/evasion — none of which include the officer's personal feelings toward the suspect.
Question 2: A subject who verbally threatens an officer but makes no physical movement is exhibiting which level of resistance?
- Passive resistance
- Active resistance
- Psychological intimidation / verbal resistance (Correct answer)
- Assaultive behavior
Correct answer: Psychological intimidation / verbal resistance
Verbal threats without physical movement fall into the psychological or verbal resistance category, below the threshold of active physical resistance.
Question 3: During a struggle, an officer loses control of their duty weapon and the suspect gains possession of it. The officer should:
- Retreat immediately and await backup
- Use any available means to regain control or create distance and seek cover (Correct answer)
- Verbally order the suspect to drop the weapon and wait
- Remain stationary to avoid escalating the situation
Correct answer: Use any available means to regain control or create distance and seek cover
When a suspect gains possession of a duty weapon, the officer's life is in immediate danger and they must take action to regain the weapon or create distance and seek cover to survive.
Question 4: Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray is most effective against which type of subject?
- Subjects under the influence of PCP or stimulants
- Emotionally disturbed persons in crisis
- Subjects exhibiting passive resistance (Correct answer)
- Subjects experiencing a medical emergency
Correct answer: Subjects exhibiting passive resistance
OC spray is most reliable against passively resisting subjects; it may be significantly less effective on individuals under the influence of certain drugs like PCP or stimulants.
Question 5: Which NJ Attorney General directive specifically governs the use of force by law enforcement officers in New Jersey?
- AG Directive 2020-5
- AG Use of Force Policy (most recently updated version) (Correct answer)
- Federal Civil Rights Act Section 1983
- NJ Penal Code Title 2C:3-7
Correct answer: AG Use of Force Policy (most recently updated version)
New Jersey's Attorney General Use of Force Policy governs the lawful use of force by NJ law enforcement, and officers must be familiar with its most current version.
Question 6: An officer using a baton strike should target which areas of the body when intending non-deadly force?
- Head, neck, and spine
- Common peroneal nerve, thigh, and upper arm (Correct answer)
- Groin and kidney region
- Ribs and sternum
Correct answer: Common peroneal nerve, thigh, and upper arm
Trained baton strikes target areas such as the common peroneal nerve, thigh, and upper arm to achieve pain compliance; head, neck, and spine strikes are generally classified as deadly force.
Question 7: De-escalation tactics should be employed:
- Only after other force options have failed
- Whenever tactically feasible before resorting to force (Correct answer)
- Only by specially trained crisis negotiators
- After the suspect has been restrained
Correct answer: Whenever tactically feasible before resorting to force
NJ Attorney General guidelines require officers to use de-escalation techniques whenever it is safe and tactically feasible to do so in order to reduce the need for force.
NJ LEE Use of Force & Defensive Tactics 3
Which factor does NOT affect the reasonableness of force used by an officer under the Graham v.
Connor analysis?