Use of Force Policy Flashcards

According to San Diego Police Department Procedure 1.04, what is the Department's highest priority in the performance of their duties?

Answer: The recognition and respect for the value of human life.

SDPD Procedure 1.04 explicitly states, 'The San Diego Police Department recognizes and respects the value of human life, having this as its highest priority.' This principle guides all other actions, including the use of force.

An SDPD officer responds to a call about a person acting erratically in a park. The person is unarmed but shouting and not responding to verbal commands. According to SDPD's de-escalation policy (DP 1.55), which of the following actions should the officer prioritize, when safe and reasonable to do so?

Answer: Using time, distance, and communication to try and gain voluntary compliance.

SDPD Procedure 1.55 on De-escalation emphasizes using 'time, distance, communications, and other available resources in an effort to de-escalate encounters and gain voluntary compliance' when it is safe and reasonable. This approach is intended to reduce the need for force.

Which of the following actions by an SDPD officer constitutes a reportable use of force incident?

Answer: Pointing a firearm at a person to gain compliance.

SDPD Procedure 1.04 lists specific incidents that require a use of force report. Among these is 'The pointing of a firearm at a person to gain compliance.' Placing handcuffs on a compliant person is not considered a reportable use of force unless physical resistance is overcome.

Under SDPD Procedure 1.56, 'Intervention Duties,' an officer who observes another officer using force that is 'clearly beyond that which is necessary' has a duty to do what?

Answer: Intervene to prevent the use of unreasonable force when in a position to do so.

SDPD Procedure 1.56 mandates that 'Any officer who is present and observes another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is necessary...shall, when in a position to do so, intervene to prevent the use of unreasonable force.' This is a 'shall' (mandate), not a 'should' (suggestion).

An SDPD officer is pursuing a suspect who just committed a felony involving the threatened use of a firearm. The suspect is fleeing on foot and the officer reasonably believes the suspect is still armed. According to state law (incorporated into SDPD policy), when is the officer justified in using deadly force?

Answer: When the officer believes it is necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or others.

Reflecting Assembly Bill 392, SDPD policy states that deadly force is justified only when an officer reasonably believes it's necessary to defend against an 'imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury' to the officer or another person, or to apprehend a fleeing felon who the officer believes will cause death or serious injury to another unless immediately apprehended.

When evaluating an officer's use of force, the SDPD policy aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court standard in Graham v. Connor. Which of the following is a central inquiry in determining if the force was 'objectively reasonable'?

Answer: Whether the officer's actions were reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances known to the officer at the scene.

The 'objectively reasonable' standard requires evaluating the officer's actions based on the totality of the circumstances from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, without the benefit of hindsight. The officer's underlying intent or motivation is not the primary consideration.