State Trooper Use of Force Principles 3

Question 1

The fleeing felon rule established in Tennessee v. Garner permits deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect only when:

Accepted Answer

The officer has probable cause the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious injury

Answer

Tennessee v. Garner holds that deadly force to stop a fleeing felon is constitutional only when the officer has probable cause that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily harm.

Question 2

A trooper is faced with a subject holding a knife at a distance of 21 feet who begins advancing. Which principle is most relevant to the decision to use deadly force?

Accepted Answer

Reactionary gap — a subject with an edged weapon at close range may close the distance before an officer can react

Answer

The reactionary gap concept recognizes that a subject with an edged weapon can cover 21 feet before an officer can typically draw and fire, making proximity a deadly-force factor.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a factor courts consider under the 'totality of circumstances' test for use of force?

Accepted Answer

The officer's prior disciplinary history unrelated to this incident

Answer

Totality of circumstances focuses on the objective conditions at the time of the incident, not the officer's unrelated disciplinary record.

Question 4

A trooper fires warning shots into the air to deter an advancing subject. Most departmental policies and courts view this practice as:

Accepted Answer

Prohibited because falling projectiles create a public danger

Answer

Warning shots are generally prohibited because spent rounds that travel upward must come down, creating lethal risks to bystanders.

Question 5

Under the concept of 'officer-created jeopardy,' an officer may be found to have used excessive force when:

Accepted Answer

The officer's own unnecessary tactical choices escalated the situation requiring force

Answer

Officer-created jeopardy refers to situations where an officer's own unreasonable actions or tactics needlessly created the dangerous circumstances that led to force.

State Trooper Practice Test

State Trooper Practice Test

State Trooper Use of Force Principles 3