POST Arrest and Control Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a use-of-force encounter, an officer observes a suspect reaching toward their waistband. Under the threat assessment model, this gesture primarily signals a potential threat to:
- Officer's ego
- Officer's physical safety due to possible weapon access (Correct answer)
- Public property
- A third party bystander
Correct answer: Officer's physical safety due to possible weapon access
A waistband reach is a recognized pre-attack indicator because weapons are commonly carried there, signaling a potential deadly threat.
Question 2: The carotid restraint (lateral vascular neck restraint) works by:
- Blocking the airway to reduce oxygen to the lungs
- Compressing the carotid arteries to temporarily reduce blood flow to the brain (Correct answer)
- Applying pressure to the larynx
- Restricting shoulder movement
Correct answer: Compressing the carotid arteries to temporarily reduce blood flow to the brain
The carotid restraint compresses the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, reducing cerebral blood flow and causing temporary incapacitation.
Question 3: When conducting a two-officer felony arrest, which officer is primarily responsible for giving verbal commands to the suspect?
- The cover officer
- The contact officer (Correct answer)
- The senior officer regardless of role
- Both officers simultaneously
Correct answer: The contact officer
The contact officer handles verbal commands and physical control while the cover officer maintains a defensive position and observes for threats.
Question 4: Under POST guidelines, when is it appropriate to use a control hold on a subject who is not actively resisting?
- Whenever an officer feels it is necessary
- When the suspect has a prior criminal history
- To prevent escalation when there are articulable facts that resistance is likely (Correct answer)
- Never — control holds require active resistance
Correct answer: To prevent escalation when there are articulable facts that resistance is likely
Officers may apply control holds proactively when there are specific, articulable facts suggesting resistance is imminent, not just based on intuition.
Question 5: A suspect is actively resisting by pulling away and attempting to flee. What level on the use-of-force continuum does this behavior typically correspond to?
- Cooperative
- Passive resistance
- Active resistance (Correct answer)
- Aggravated active resistance
Correct answer: Active resistance
Pulling away and fleeing constitutes active resistance, which typically warrants the use of empty-hand control or intermediate force options.
Question 6: After successfully handcuffing a suspect, officers must verify handcuff application by:
- Asking the suspect if the cuffs are too tight
- Double-locking and checking for proper fit — two fingers between cuff and wrist (Correct answer)
- Only checking that the cuffs are closed
- Waiting until the suspect complains
Correct answer: Double-locking and checking for proper fit — two fingers between cuff and wrist
Proper handcuff checks require double-locking to prevent tightening and verifying fit with a two-finger gap to prevent injury and liability.
Question 7: Which of the following is a contraindication for using a carotid restraint technique?
- Suspect is taller than the officer
- Suspect has known carotid artery disease or recent neck surgery (Correct answer)
- Suspect is wearing a jacket
- Officer lacks a backup unit
Correct answer: Suspect has known carotid artery disease or recent neck surgery
Carotid artery disease or recent neck surgery dramatically increases the risk of serious injury or death from carotid restraint application.
POST Arrest and Control Techniques 3
During a use-of-force encounter, an officer observes a suspect reaching toward their waistband.
Under the threat assessment model, this gesture primarily signals a potential threat to: