Use of Force Flashcards
7 cards from real MTA 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 flashcards as text
The legal standard established in Graham v. Connor (1989) for evaluating police use of force is based on:
Answer: Objective reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene
Graham v. Connor held that use of force must be judged by the 'objective reasonableness' standard under the Fourth Amendment, not the officer's subjective intent.
Under Tennessee v. Garner (1985), an officer may use deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect only if:
Answer: The officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury
Tennessee v. Garner limits deadly force against fleeing suspects to situations where the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury.
Which of the following best defines the Use of Force Continuum?
Answer: A framework that guides officers in selecting force options proportional to the level of resistance encountered
The Use of Force Continuum is a framework that outlines escalating force options matched to a subject's level of resistance, guiding officers to use proportional responses.
An MTA Police officer is confronted by a suspect who is actively resisting arrest but has not displayed a weapon. Which force option is generally most appropriate at this stage?
Answer: Soft empty-hand control techniques
Active resistance without a weapon typically calls for soft empty-hand control techniques, which are proportional to the level of resistance without escalating to more serious force.
De-escalation in policing refers to:
Answer: Using tactics and communication strategies to reduce the intensity of a situation and minimize the need for force
De-escalation involves using communication, time, and tactics to reduce tension and resolve situations with the least force necessary.
Which of the following factors is considered when determining whether force used was reasonable?
Answer: The severity of the crime, immediate threat to safety, and whether the suspect is actively resisting
Graham v. Connor identified three key factors: severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and whether the suspect is actively resisting or evading arrest.
After any use of force incident, an MTA Police officer is typically required to:
Answer: Complete a use of force report documenting the incident
Officers are required to document all use of force incidents in a report, which ensures accountability, allows supervisory review, and creates a legal record.