Use of Force Policies Flashcards
7 cards from real FBI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Use of Force Policies flashcards as text
Which of the following situations would most clearly justify FBI use of deadly force under established policy?
Answer: An armed suspect fires at agents during an arrest attempt
An armed suspect actively firing at agents presents an immediate, lethal threat that clearly justifies deadly force under FBI policy and the Graham standard.
FBI use-of-force incidents involving discharge of a firearm must be reported to which internal body?
Answer: The FBI Inspection Division and the local U.S. Attorney's Office
FBI policy mandates internal reporting to the Inspection Division and coordination with the local U.S. Attorney's Office following any shooting incident.
What does 'imminent threat' mean in the context of FBI use-of-force policy?
Answer: A threat that is immediate, present, and requires instant action to prevent harm
Imminence means the threat is happening or about to happen right now, requiring immediate defensive action — not a threat that is distant in time.
Which policy principle prohibits FBI agents from firing warning shots except in extremely narrow circumstances?
Answer: The prohibition against reckless endangerment
Warning shots are generally prohibited because fired rounds that miss intended targets create uncontrolled projectile hazards, constituting reckless endangerment of bystanders.
When an FBI agent uses force and the subject is injured, the agent must NOT:
Answer: Move the subject's body to conceal evidence of the encounter
Moving a body to conceal evidence constitutes obstruction of justice and violates both FBI policy and federal law.
Under the Fourth Amendment, use of force during an arrest is analyzed as a:
Answer: Fourth Amendment seizure
Graham v. Connor clarified that excessive force claims during arrest are analyzed under the Fourth Amendment as unreasonable seizures, not substantive due process.
An FBI agent who fires a weapon and unintentionally strikes a bystander bears potential liability primarily under which doctrine?
Answer: Negligent use of force / excessive force
Unintentional harm to bystanders can expose an agent to negligent or excessive force claims if the decision to fire was not objectively reasonable given the risk to innocents.