TCOLE Use of Force Concepts 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'excited delirium' and why is it significant to use of force?
- A legal defense for officers who use excessive force
- A medical condition involving extreme agitation and strength that increases risk of in-custody death (Correct answer)
- A term for suspects who fake injuries after arrest
- A training program for managing combative suspects
Correct answer: A medical condition involving extreme agitation and strength that increases risk of in-custody death
Excited delirium is a medical emergency involving hyperthermia, agitation, and superhuman strength that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, making rapid medical response critical.
Question 2: Which concept describes an officer's legal duty to intervene when witnessing another officer use clearly excessive force?
- Blue wall of silence
- Duty to intervene (Correct answer)
- Command presence
- Tactical retreat
Correct answer: Duty to intervene
Officers have a constitutional duty to intervene and stop clearly excessive force by fellow officers when they have a reasonable opportunity to do so.
Question 3: A suspect verbally threatens an officer but makes no physical movement toward them. What force level is generally appropriate?
- Deadly force
- Hard empty-hand control techniques
- Verbal commands and heightened alertness (Correct answer)
- Impact weapon strikes
Correct answer: Verbal commands and heightened alertness
A verbal threat alone without physical action generally justifies increased alertness and verbal commands, not physical force.
Question 4: What is 'soft empty-hand control' in a use of force continuum?
- Drawing a firearm without firing
- Techniques like joint locks and escort holds that minimize injury risk (Correct answer)
- Strikes to soft tissue areas
- Using a baton with reduced impact
Correct answer: Techniques like joint locks and escort holds that minimize injury risk
Soft empty-hand techniques include compliance holds, escort positions, and joint locks designed to control with minimal injury potential.
Question 5: Under TCOLE standards, what must officers document after any use of force incident?
- Only incidents resulting in hospitalization
- A use of force report detailing the circumstances, actions taken, and outcome (Correct answer)
- A verbal report to a supervisor is sufficient
- Documentation is only required for deadly force incidents
Correct answer: A use of force report detailing the circumstances, actions taken, and outcome
TCOLE and department policies generally require a written use of force report for any reportable use of force, detailing justification and outcome.
Question 6: What is 'conductive energy device' (CED) and at which force level is it typically classified?
- A chemical agent classified as deadly force
- An electrical device such as a Taser classified as intermediate/less-lethal force (Correct answer)
- A physical restraint tool classified as soft control
- A baton classified as lethal force
Correct answer: An electrical device such as a Taser classified as intermediate/less-lethal force
A CED (e.g., Taser) delivers electrical current to temporarily incapacitate subjects and is classified as intermediate or less-lethal force.
Question 7: An officer is in a vehicle pursuit that endangers the public. Which use of force consideration is most critical?
- Only the fleeing suspect's rights matter
- The threat to innocent third parties must be weighed against the need to apprehend (Correct answer)
- Pursuits are never authorized under TCOLE
- Deadly force is always justified to stop a fleeing vehicle
Correct answer: The threat to innocent third parties must be weighed against the need to apprehend
Officers must balance the need to apprehend against the risk posed to innocent bystanders, and may be required to terminate the pursuit if danger outweighs the benefit.
TCOLE Use of Force Concepts 4
What is 'excited delirium' and why is it significant to use of force?