Random Policy & Case Law
Any use of force that creates a substantial risk of causing death or SBI
Deadly Force
All facts known to the officer at the time, including the conduct of the officer and the subject leading up to the use of force
Totality of circumstances
An officer may use objectively reasonable force to accomplish what 3 functions?
Effect an arrest
Prevent escape
Overcome resistance
Legislation that governs rights and protections provided to peace officers
POBAR - Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act
4 Firearm Safety Rules + bonus #5 for rifle
1) Treat all firearms as if they loaded.
2) Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3) Keep your finger off the trigger until on target and ready to fire.
4) Positively identify your target and your sector of fire.
5) Keep the safety engaged until you have made the decision to fire (if applicable).
Officers shall not shoot at or from a moving vehicle unless: [A, B, C...]
a) someone in the vehicle is using/threatening deadly force and is an imminent threat
b) vehicle is weapon of mass destruction in terrorist attack
c) vehicle is weapon in a ramming attack
Name 5 (of the 19 listed in Policy 300) factors to use in determining the application and reasonableness of force
I'm not typing them all. You're a sworn peace officer, entrusted with a badge, gun, car and copious other tools. You had better know 5+ of them.
Imminent Threat is defined as this.
AOI
Ability
Opportunity
Intent (apparent)
Name two types of investigations conducted after an OIS.
Criminal and Administrative
Describe the "patrol ready" configuration for the rifle.
3) Bolt forward w/ dust cover closed
4) Selector lever on "safe"
Graham Factors.
Go.
Crime (severity of)
Threat (level/immediacy of)
Resistance (active fight or passive flight)
Any officer observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is necessary has a ________________ verbally or physically
Duty to intercede
Provide an example of a deadly force warning.
And yes, it is now feasible to do so.
Police. Stop. Or you may be shot/deadly force may be used.
Following an OIS, the involved officer(s) can expect the supervisor to ask these type of questions.
Public Safety
Your patrol body armor is NIJ-rated IIIA to stop common handgun rounds.
NIJ stands for what?
National Institute of Justice
Reasonably capable of being done or carried out under the circumstances to successfully achieve the arrest or lawful objective without increasing risk to the officer or another person
Feasible
Name the legislation that addresses decertification of peace officers due to serious misconduct such as dishonesty, physical/sexual abuse, demonstrating bias, failure to intercede, amongst others.
Senate Bill 2
835a(c)(1)
Deadly Force "A" section
To stop an imminent threat of death or SBI to self/others, where AOI exists. Not merely a fear of future harm, but one that must be instantly confronted.
Your Sergeant was just involved in a solo (non-deadly) use of force, but is being transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Your Corporal is on vacation. You're the senior officer on shift. Generally, what are the supervisor's responsibilities at and after a use of force incident? "Generally" as in do your best and provide some specifics, but you do not have to have it all committed to memory. The supervisors in the room will decide if your response is worthy of 400 points.
a. Obtain basic facts from involved officers.
b. Ensure injured parties are treated medically.
c. Interview suspect w/ standardized questions. (Miranda/separate case considerations)
d. Photographs of injury or complaint of pain sites, as well as uninjured areas.
e. Identify witnesses.
f. Review BWC & report approval.
g. Notify LT or on-call Command staff.
Less-Lethal:
1) Min/Max distance for 40mm foam round
2) Min/Max distance for bean bag shotgun round
3) Areas of body to avoid for both
Bean Bag = 21ft - 75ft
Avoid: Head, Neck, Heart, Spine, Groin
A 2025 Supreme Court case stated "...the 'totality of circumstances' inquiry into a use of force has no time limit" when it found that the "moment of threat" rule improperly narrows the reasonableness inquiry under the Fourth Amendment. What is the name of this case that looked not only at the moment of the shooting, but also the officer-created jeopardy that led to it?
Barnes v. Felix
Any evaluation of reasonableness must allow for the fact that officers are often forced to make split-second decisions...with limited information and in circumstances that are WHAT?
Tense
Uncertain
Rapidly Evolving
835a(c)(1)
Deadly Force "B" Section
To stop a fleeing felon that has threatened or caused death/SBI and reasonable belief that they will continue to cause death/SBI. When feasible, provide a warning deadly force will be used.
Once the individual is safely secured, officers should promptly check and continuously monitor the individual's condition for signs of medical distress. This should include a recovery position in order to avoid what specific medical condition?
Positional (restraint) asphyxia
Name 5 (of the listed 7) circumstances in which an officer may deploy the patrol rifle.
a.Situations where the officer reasonably anticipates an armed encounter.
b.When an officer is faced with a situation that may require the delivery of accurate and effective fire at long range.
c.Situations where an officer reasonably expects the need to meet or exceed a suspect’s firepower.
d.When an officer reasonably believes that there may be a need to deliver fire on a barricaded suspect or a suspect with a hostage.
e.When an officer reasonably believes that a suspect may be wearing body armor.
f.When authorized or requested by a supervisor.
g.When needed to euthanize an animal.