OIC Use of Force Policies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Graham v. Connor standard, which factor is NOT considered when evaluating whether force was objectively reasonable?
- Severity of the crime
- Officer's subjective fear (Correct answer)
- Whether the subject posed an immediate threat
- Whether the subject was actively resisting
Correct answer: Officer's subjective fear
Graham v. Connor uses an objective reasonableness test based on facts known at the time, not the officer's subjective state of mind.
Question 2: In Oregon, which agency is responsible for certifying correctional and law enforcement officers and setting minimum use-of-force training standards?
- Oregon Department of Corrections
- Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) (Correct answer)
- Oregon State Police
- Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
Correct answer: Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)
DPSST establishes minimum training standards, including use-of-force training, for certified public safety officers in Oregon.
Question 3: When must an officer provide or summon medical attention after using force on a subject?
- Only if the subject requests medical attention
- Only if the subject loses consciousness
- As soon as it is safe to do so after force is used (Correct answer)
- Only after a supervisor approves the request
Correct answer: As soon as it is safe to do so after force is used
Best practice and most agency policies require that medical attention be provided or summoned as soon as it is safe to do so following any use of force.
Question 4: Which legal case established that deadly force may only be used against a fleeing felon when the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily harm?
- Graham v. Connor
- Tennessee v. Garner (Correct answer)
- Hudson v. McMillian
- Monell v. Department of Social Services
Correct answer: Tennessee v. Garner
Tennessee v. Garner (1985) held that using deadly force to stop a fleeing felon is unconstitutional unless the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical harm.
Question 5: A use-of-force report must be submitted:
- Within 72 hours of the incident
- Only when the subject files a complaint
- Any time force beyond verbal commands is used, per policy timelines (Correct answer)
- Only when the subject requires hospitalization
Correct answer: Any time force beyond verbal commands is used, per policy timelines
Most agency policies require a use-of-force report whenever force beyond verbal commands is applied, submitted within a specified timeframe (often the same shift or within 24 hours).
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the principle of 'proportionality' in use of force?
- Force must always match what the subject is using
- The level of force must be appropriate and not excessive relative to the threat posed (Correct answer)
- Officers must always use the least possible force regardless of the situation
- Force must escalate one level at a time before reaching deadly force
Correct answer: The level of force must be appropriate and not excessive relative to the threat posed
Proportionality means the force used must be reasonably related to the level of threat — not necessarily identical to it, but not excessive.
Question 7: When a supervisor is notified of a use-of-force incident, what is their primary responsibility?
- Determine whether to discipline the involved officer
- Respond to the scene, assess the situation, and ensure proper documentation (Correct answer)
- Take a statement from the subject before the officer
- Contact the DA's office immediately
Correct answer: Respond to the scene, assess the situation, and ensure proper documentation
Supervisors must respond to use-of-force scenes to assess the situation, ensure medical attention if needed, and verify proper documentation is completed.
OIC Use of Force Policies 2
Under the Graham v.
Connor standard, which factor is NOT considered when evaluating whether force was objectively reasonable?