NJ LEE Use of Force & Defensive Tactics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under New Jersey's use of force policy, an officer may use deadly force to prevent a fleeing suspect's escape only if the suspect:
- Is wanted for any felony offense
- Poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily harm to others (Correct answer)
- Has previously resisted arrest
- Is armed with any weapon
Correct answer: Poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily harm to others
Per Graham v. Connor and NJ Attorney General guidelines, deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect is justified only when the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury to officers or others.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the 'objective reasonableness' standard applied to use of force incidents?
- What the officer subjectively believed was necessary
- What a reasonable officer in the same situation would have done (Correct answer)
- What the officer's supervisor would have approved
- What the suspect perceived the officer to be doing
Correct answer: What a reasonable officer in the same situation would have done
The objective reasonableness standard, established in Graham v. Connor (1989), evaluates force from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not with 20/20 hindsight.
Question 3: When applying a carotid restraint hold, the primary risk to be aware of is:
- Bruising to the neck muscles
- Interruption of blood flow to the brain causing loss of consciousness (Correct answer)
- Damage to the trachea and windpipe
- Dislocation of the cervical vertebrae
Correct answer: Interruption of blood flow to the brain causing loss of consciousness
The carotid restraint compresses the carotid arteries, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing rapid loss of consciousness; improper application can result in death.
Question 4: An officer is attempting to handcuff a resisting subject who is actively pulling away. According to NJ use of force guidelines, which level of force is most appropriate as a first escalation?
- Immediate use of pepper spray
- Takedown techniques and pain compliance (Correct answer)
- Drawing and displaying the firearm
- Verbal commands only
Correct answer: Takedown techniques and pain compliance
When a subject is actively resisting (pulling away), the force continuum supports escalating to physical control techniques such as takedowns or pain compliance before employing chemical agents.
Question 5: Which of the following actions must an officer take AFTER using force that results in injury?
- Immediately notify media relations
- Ensure medical attention is provided to the injured person (Correct answer)
- Complete only a verbal report to a supervisor
- Transfer the subject to another jurisdiction
Correct answer: Ensure medical attention is provided to the injured person
NJ Attorney General guidelines require that after force resulting in injury, officers must ensure the injured person receives prompt medical attention.
Question 6: The concept of 'totality of circumstances' in use of force evaluation means:
- Only the final action taken by an officer is evaluated
- All facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time are considered (Correct answer)
- The outcome of the incident determines whether force was justified
- Only documented evidence is admissible in force reviews
Correct answer: All facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time are considered
Courts evaluate use of force by considering all facts and circumstances known to the officer at the moment force was applied, not just isolated elements.
Question 7: When an officer draws a firearm and points it at a subject without firing, this is classified as:
- Non-deadly force
- Deadly force (Correct answer)
- Passive force
- No force at all
Correct answer: Deadly force
Under NJ use of force policy, pointing a firearm at a person is classified as deadly force even if the weapon is not discharged.
NJ LEE Use of Force & Defensive Tactics 2
Under New Jersey's use of force policy, an officer may use deadly force to prevent a fleeing suspect's escape only if the suspect: