Use of Force Principles Flashcards

The U.S. Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor established that all claims of excessive force by law enforcement must be judged under the Fourth Amendment's 'objective reasonableness' standard. Which of the following is a key factor in this determination?

Answer: The severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and whether they are actively resisting or evading arrest.

The Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor specified that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene. The core factors for this judgment include the severity of the crime, the immediate threat posed by the suspect, and the suspect's level of resistance or attempt to flee. An officer's subjective intent is not the standard; the standard is what a reasonable officer would have done in the same situation.

An officer responds to a report of a non-violent protest where participants have linked arms to block an entrance. The subjects are not aggressive but refuse verbal commands to disperse. According to a typical use-of-force continuum, what level of resistance are the protestors demonstrating?

Answer: Active Resistance

Active Resistance is characterized by a subject's physical actions intended to prevent the officer from establishing control, but which are not intended to harm the officer. Linking arms to resist dispersal is a physical act of defiance beyond simply refusing to move (Passive Resistance) but does not involve assaultive behavior (Active Aggression).

Under the principles established in Tennessee v. Garner, an officer is justified in using deadly force to prevent the escape of a fleeing felon ONLY if:

Answer: The officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Tennessee v. Garner specifically states that deadly force may not be used to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect unless it is necessary to prevent the escape AND the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. The commission of any felony is not, by itself, a sufficient justification.

An officer encounters an individual who is shouting and acting erratically but has not made any direct threats or physical movements toward the officer. Which of the following actions best represents an appropriate de-escalation technique?

Answer: Maintaining a safe distance, using a calm tone of voice, and attempting to build rapport.

De-escalation involves using verbal and non-verbal skills to slow a situation down and reduce the immediacy of a threat. In this scenario, creating distance for safety, using a calm and non-threatening tone, and attempting to communicate are primary de-escalation tactics designed to stabilize the situation without resorting to force.

Which of the following describes the principle of 'proportionality' in the use of force?

Answer: The level of force used by the officer must be reasonably related to the seriousness of the offense and the level of resistance.

Proportionality requires that the level of force an officer uses is proportional to the seriousness of the suspected offense or the level of actual or threatened resistance. It does not mean a mirror-image of the suspect's force, nor does it require a step-by-step progression through a continuum if circumstances justify a higher level of force immediately.

An officer observes another officer using force that they reasonably believe is excessive under the circumstances. What is the observing officer's primary duty in this situation?

Answer: To intervene and stop the excessive force, if able to do so safely.

Modern use-of-force principles and many agency policies include an affirmative 'duty to intervene.' This requires an officer to intervene to prevent or stop another officer from using excessive force. Following the intervention, a prompt report to a supervisor is also required.