DCJS Use of Force and Defensive Tactics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Virginia law, which standard is used to evaluate whether an officer's use of force was reasonable?
- Subjective standard based on the officer's personal fear
- Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene (Correct answer)
- Strict liability regardless of the officer's belief
- Preponderance of evidence standard used in civil courts
Correct answer: Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene
The Fourth Amendment objective reasonableness standard, established in Graham v. Connor, evaluates force from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene.
Question 2: When is a law enforcement officer permitted to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect in Virginia?
- Whenever a suspect flees to avoid arrest for any felony
- Only when the suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to officers or the public (Correct answer)
- Any time the officer believes the suspect committed a crime
- Only when a supervisor authorizes the use of deadly force
Correct answer: Only when the suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to officers or the public
Under Tennessee v. Garner, deadly force against a fleeing suspect is only justified when the suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
Question 3: Which factor is NOT one of the Graham v. Connor factors used to assess use of force reasonableness?
- Severity of the crime at issue
- Whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to safety
- Whether the suspect is actively resisting or evading arrest
- The race or ethnicity of the suspect (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The race or ethnicity of the suspect
Graham v. Connor established three factors: crime severity, immediate threat to safety, and active resistance or evasion — race is never a legitimate factor.
Question 4: A subject is handcuffed and compliant. An officer strikes the subject twice. This action is BEST described as:
- Justified as a precautionary measure
- Excessive force because the threat has been neutralized (Correct answer)
- Reasonable because the officer cannot predict future behavior
- Appropriate de-escalation technique
Correct answer: Excessive force because the threat has been neutralized
Striking a handcuffed, compliant subject constitutes excessive force because the threat has been neutralized and force is no longer necessary.
Question 5: Which type of force involves using the officer's body — hands, feet, or knees — to control a subject?
- Deadly force
- Less-lethal munitions
- Empty-hand control techniques (Correct answer)
- Intermediate weapons force
Correct answer: Empty-hand control techniques
Empty-hand control techniques use the officer's own body (hands, feet, knees) to restrain or control a subject without weapons.
Question 6: What does the concept of 'force continuum' or 'use of force continuum' primarily guide officers to do?
- Always start at the highest level of force to end confrontations quickly
- Use the minimum force necessary and escalate only as the threat escalates (Correct answer)
- Never use force unless a supervisor is present
- Apply the same level of force regardless of resistance level
Correct answer: Use the minimum force necessary and escalate only as the threat escalates
A use of force continuum guides officers to use the minimum level of force necessary, escalating only in response to increasing levels of subject resistance.
Question 7: An officer uses a Taser (CEW) on a subject who is passively resisting by going limp. Under most Virginia agency policies, this use of force is:
- Always appropriate as CEWs are non-lethal
- Generally not justified because the threat level does not warrant a CEW (Correct answer)
- Justified because any resistance permits CEW use
- Required before attempting hands-on control
Correct answer: Generally not justified because the threat level does not warrant a CEW
CEW use on a passively resisting subject is generally not justified because passive resistance typically does not rise to the threat level warranting a conducted energy weapon.
DCJS Use of Force and Defensive Tactics 2
Under Virginia law, which standard is used to evaluate whether an officer's use of force was reasonable?