NJ LEE Use of Force & Defensive Tactics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An officer is confronted by a subject armed with a knife who is 15 feet away and advancing. This situation is best described as:
- Non-deadly force situation requiring verbal commands only
- An immediate threat justifying consideration of deadly force (Correct answer)
- A situation requiring the officer to retreat
- A situation requiring a TASER as the only option
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'force multipliers' in defensive tactics?
- Using multiple officers against one suspect
- Tools or techniques that increase an officer's effectiveness beyond bare-hands capability (Correct answer)
- Calling for SWAT as backup
- Verbal commands given at high volume
Correct 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.
Question 3: When handcuffing a subject, double-locking the cuffs is important because it:
- Makes the cuffs impossible to remove without a key
- Prevents the cuffs from tightening further and injuring the subject (Correct answer)
- Signals to backup that the subject has been secured
- Activates an anti-tamper mechanism in the cuffs
Correct 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.
Question 4: Under NJ law, a civilian who uses force to resist an unlawful arrest by an officer acting in good faith:
- Has a legal right to resist with equal force
- May face criminal charges for the resistance itself (Correct answer)
- Is fully protected by the right to self-defense
- Must be released without charge
Correct 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.
Question 5: 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:
- The pursuit lasted more than two minutes
- The suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm (Correct answer)
- The suspect was originally wanted for a misdemeanor
- The officer's backup is more than one minute away
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which statement about shooting at moving vehicles is correct under NJ Attorney General use of force guidelines?
- It is permitted whenever a vehicle is used in commission of a crime
- It is generally prohibited unless occupants pose a deadly threat independent of the vehicle (Correct answer)
- It is allowed when a driver refuses to stop after being signaled
- It is permitted if the officer is in the vehicle's direct path
Correct 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).
Question 7: A subject suddenly produces a weapon during a pat-down. The officer's trained response should prioritize:
- Stepping back and drawing their own firearm immediately
- Controlling the subject's weapon hand while creating distance or calling for backup (Correct answer)
- Verbally ordering the subject to drop the weapon three times before acting
- Waiting for the subject to brandish the weapon before reacting
Correct 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.
NJ LEE Use of Force & Defensive Tactics 5
An officer is confronted by a subject armed with a knife who is 15 feet away and advancing.
This situation is best described as: