Firearms Training & Use of Force Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real DCJS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Firearms Training & Use of Force Techniques flashcards as text
Under Virginia law, when an officer fires a warning shot, which consideration is MOST critical?
Answer: A warning shot is generally discouraged because every round must have a safe backstop
Warning shots are generally discouraged in law enforcement because every projectile fired must have a safe backstop and the officer is accountable for where it lands.
What does the 'Graham v. Connor' standard require when evaluating an officer's use of force?
Answer: Force must be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not with 20/20 hindsight
Graham v. Connor established the objective reasonableness standard — force is judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene without 20/20 hindsight.
Which of the following is an example of 'positional asphyxia' risk during a restraint?
Answer: Placing a handcuffed subject face-down on their stomach and leaving them unmonitored
Positional asphyxia can occur when a restrained person is left face-down (prone), which restricts breathing, especially in combination with excited delirium or drug use.
When conducting a press check on a semi-automatic pistol, what is the officer verifying?
Answer: That a round is chambered and the firearm is loaded
A press check involves slightly retracting the slide to visually or tactilely confirm that a round is chambered in the firearm.
During low-light firearms training, officers are taught to use a flashlight primarily to:
Answer: Identify the threat and ensure a proper target before using force
Proper low-light technique requires using a flashlight to identify the threat — officers must know what they are shooting at before using deadly force.
Which factor is NOT part of the 'totality of circumstances' analysis in a use-of-force review?
Answer: The officer's years of service and promotion history
The Graham v. Connor totality test focuses on the crime's severity, immediate threat, and active resistance — an officer's career history is not a relevant factor.
What is the correct response when an officer experiences a 'failure to fire' (trigger pull produces no discharge)?
Answer: Tap the magazine base, rack the slide to clear a possible malfunction, then reassess
The standard immediate action drill for a failure to fire is Tap-Rack-Assess: tap the magazine to seat it, rack the slide to eject a bad round and chamber a new one, then reassess the threat.