Use of Force and Defensive Tactics Flashcards

Under Virginia law, which standard is used to evaluate whether an officer's use of force was reasonable?

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.

When is a law enforcement officer permitted to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect in Virginia?

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.

Which factor is NOT one of the Graham v. Connor factors used to assess use of force reasonableness?

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.

A subject is handcuffed and compliant. An officer strikes the subject twice. This action is BEST described as:

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.

Which type of force involves using the officer's body — hands, feet, or knees — to control a subject?

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.

What does the concept of 'force continuum' or 'use of force continuum' primarily guide officers to do?

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.

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:

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.