DCJS Firearms Training & Use of Force Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The DCJS-approved use-of-force continuum recognizes that officers may:
- Only escalate force one level at a time in sequence
- Skip levels on the continuum based on the totality of the threat presented (Correct answer)
- Use deadly force only after all other force options have failed
- Never use physical force if a verbal command has not been issued first
Correct answer: Skip levels on the continuum based on the totality of the threat presented
Officers may bypass lower levels of the continuum if the threat level immediately justifies a higher level of force, based on the totality of the circumstances.
Question 2: Which condition describes a firearm that has a round chambered, a full magazine inserted, and the hammer cocked with the safety off?
- Condition Yellow
- Condition One (Israeli carry)
- Condition Zero (Correct answer)
- Condition Three (chamber empty)
Correct answer: Condition Zero
Condition Zero means the firearm is cocked, loaded, safety off — it is ready to fire with only trigger pressure required.
Question 3: Under Virginia Code, 'deadly force' is defined as force that:
- Causes any physical injury to the suspect
- Is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury (Correct answer)
- Requires a firearm or edged weapon to apply
- Is intended to stop a fleeing misdemeanant
Correct answer: Is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
Deadly force is legally defined as force likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, and its use is restricted to situations involving an imminent threat of the same.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of firearms qualification for DCJS-certified officers?
- To rank officers by marksmanship for special assignments
- To ensure officers maintain the minimum proficiency required to safely carry and use a firearm (Correct answer)
- To satisfy the requirements of the insurance carrier for the agency
- To fulfill a one-time training requirement at the academy
Correct answer: To ensure officers maintain the minimum proficiency required to safely carry and use a firearm
Firearms qualification ensures that officers maintain a minimum proficiency level to safely carry and, if necessary, employ a firearm in the line of duty.
Question 5: When using an expandable baton (ASP), officers should avoid strikes to which area due to high risk of lethal injury?
- The thigh
- The forearm
- The head, neck, and spine (Correct answer)
- The upper arm
Correct answer: The head, neck, and spine
Strikes with an impact weapon to the head, neck, or spine are considered potentially lethal and should be avoided unless deadly force is justified.
Question 6: A subject is advancing on an officer with a knife at a distance of 21 feet. This scenario is associated with which training concept?
- The Tueller Drill, demonstrating that a knife-wielding subject at 21 feet poses an immediate deadly threat (Correct answer)
- The reactionary gap, requiring the officer to maintain 30 feet of separation
- The contact distance rule requiring baton deployment only
- The verbal compliance window, requiring one warning before drawing a firearm
Correct answer: The Tueller Drill, demonstrating that a knife-wielding subject at 21 feet poses an immediate deadly threat
The Tueller Drill (21-foot rule) demonstrates that a person with a knife can close 21 feet before an average officer can draw and fire, establishing the threat as immediately deadly.
Question 7: After any use-of-force incident, Virginia DCJS standards require an officer to:
- File a written use-of-force report and notify a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Immediately submit to a psychological evaluation before returning to duty
- Only report the incident if the subject was injured
- Contact the local prosecutor before writing any report
Correct answer: File a written use-of-force report and notify a supervisor
DCJS standards and agency policy require officers to complete a written use-of-force report and notify a supervisor following any use-of-force incident.
DCJS Firearms Training & Use of Force Techniques 3
The DCJS-approved use-of-force continuum recognizes that officers may: