POST Arrest and Control Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a struggle, a suspect grabs an officer's gun hand. The FIRST priority should be to:
- Strike the suspect in the face
- Retain the firearm and prevent the suspect from gaining control of it (Correct answer)
- Call for backup on the radio
- Apply a wrist lock with the free hand
Correct answer: Retain the firearm and prevent the suspect from gaining control of it
Weapon retention is the absolute priority — an officer's firearm in a suspect's hands creates an immediate lethal threat.
Question 2: The 'escort position' used when guiding a compliant subject is characterized by:
- Handcuffing the subject before moving
- Controlling the subject's near arm at the wrist and elbow while walking beside them (Correct answer)
- Gripping the subject's collar from behind
- Placing both hands on the subject's shoulders
Correct answer: Controlling the subject's near arm at the wrist and elbow while walking beside them
The escort position gives the officer control of the subject's near arm, allowing direction of movement while maintaining the ability to respond to resistance.
Question 3: When an officer must take a standing suspect to the ground for control, which technique minimizes injury risk to both parties?
- A straight leg sweep with no support
- A controlled takedown guiding the suspect to the ground using body weight and leverage (Correct answer)
- Tackling the suspect from behind at full speed
- Pushing the suspect against a wall
Correct answer: A controlled takedown guiding the suspect to the ground using body weight and leverage
Controlled takedowns use leverage and officer body weight to guide the suspect down, reducing impact injuries for both subject and officer.
Question 4: POST training emphasizes that officers should verbalize commands during physical control efforts primarily because:
- It fatigues the suspect
- It documents the interaction, may gain compliance, and demonstrates reasonableness (Correct answer)
- It is required by federal law
- It distracts the suspect from resisting
Correct answer: It documents the interaction, may gain compliance, and demonstrates reasonableness
Verbal commands during control efforts establish a record, give the subject the opportunity to comply, and demonstrate that force was measured and reasonable.
Question 5: In a ground fighting scenario, an officer's FIRST objective after being taken to the ground should be to:
- Draw their firearm immediately
- Protect their weapons and work to regain a dominant position or create distance (Correct answer)
- Go limp to avoid injury
- Call for backup before doing anything else
Correct answer: Protect their weapons and work to regain a dominant position or create distance
Weapon protection and regaining tactical position are the first priorities on the ground to prevent weapon seizure and restore officer control.
Question 6: Which of the following body mechanics principles is MOST important when applying a standing control technique on a larger subject?
- Using muscle strength alone
- Lowering the center of gravity and using leverage rather than strength (Correct answer)
- Moving quickly without a stable base
- Focusing force on the suspect's upper body only
Correct answer: Lowering the center of gravity and using leverage rather than strength
A low center of gravity and proper leverage allow smaller officers to effectively control larger subjects by using biomechanical advantage over raw strength.
Question 7: After using force to arrest a suspect, POST standards require that the officer:
- Report only if the suspect files a complaint
- Document the force used and ensure the suspect receives a medical evaluation if injured (Correct answer)
- Notify the watch commander only if force was lethal
- Complete a use-of-force report within 30 days
Correct answer: Document the force used and ensure the suspect receives a medical evaluation if injured
Officers must document all force used and arrange medical assessment for any injured suspect, both for accountability and to meet legal and departmental requirements.
POST Arrest and Control Techniques 4
During a struggle, a suspect grabs an officer's gun hand.
The FIRST priority should be to: