PSO Use of Force 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor is NOT typically considered when evaluating the reasonableness of force under Graham v. Connor?
- The severity of the crime at issue
- Whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to safety
- The number of years the officer has been employed (Correct answer)
- Whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest
Correct answer: The number of years the officer has been employed
Graham v. Connor identifies severity of crime, immediate threat, and active resistance as the key factors — an officer's years of service is not one of them.
Question 2: What is 'passive resistance' in terms of use of force assessment?
- A suspect verbally threatening or taunting an officer
- Non-compliance without physical aggression, such as going limp or refusing to move (Correct answer)
- A suspect actively attempting to flee from the scene on foot
- A suspect brandishing or displaying a weapon without using it
Correct answer: Non-compliance without physical aggression, such as going limp or refusing to move
Passive resistance involves non-compliance that lacks physical aggression, requiring a lower level of force response than active aggression.
Question 3: Which of the following is classified as 'less-lethal' force?
- Discharging a service firearm at center mass
- Delivering baton strikes to a suspect's head
- Deploying OC (pepper) spray on a combative suspect (Correct answer)
- Applying a prolonged vascular neck restraint
Correct answer: Deploying OC (pepper) spray on a combative suspect
OC spray is classified as less-lethal force because it is designed to temporarily incapacitate without typically causing death.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'totality of circumstances' test in use of force cases?
- To determine how many officers were present during the incident
- To evaluate all relevant facts and conditions surrounding the force used together (Correct answer)
- To calculate the exact amount of physical force that was applied
- To review only the suspect's criminal history when assessing threat
Correct answer: To evaluate all relevant facts and conditions surrounding the force used together
The totality of circumstances requires reviewing all relevant factors together rather than in isolation to determine if force was objectively reasonable.
Question 5: If a suspect stops resisting and is fully under control, what should the officer do regarding force?
- Continue the same level of force until backup units arrive on scene
- Immediately reduce or cease use of force since the threat has ended (Correct answer)
- Increase force briefly to ensure the suspect cannot resume resistance
- Maintain current force levels until a supervisor arrives to assess
Correct answer: Immediately reduce or cease use of force since the threat has ended
Force must be reduced or stopped once the threat is neutralized and the suspect is under control — continued force becomes excessive.
Question 6: Which type of force involves an officer using only their hands or body to control a suspect?
- Mechanical force involving restraint devices
- Chemical force involving aerosol agents
- Empty-hand control using physical techniques (Correct answer)
- Directed energy force using electronic devices
Correct answer: Empty-hand control using physical techniques
Empty-hand control refers to techniques like joint locks, takedowns, and body strikes that require no weapons or tools.
Question 7: What is 'excited delirium' and why is it relevant to use of force situations?
- A legal defense officers may use when excessive force is alleged
- A serious medical condition involving extreme agitation that increases risk of injury or death during restraint (Correct answer)
- A type of controlled substance that dramatically increases a suspect's physical strength
- A specialized training protocol for managing combative or violent individuals
Correct answer: A serious medical condition involving extreme agitation that increases risk of injury or death during restraint
Excited delirium is a medical emergency characterized by extreme agitation and unpredictable behavior that creates serious risks during physical restraint.
PSO Use of Force 2
Which factor is NOT typically considered when evaluating the reasonableness of force under Graham v.
Connor?