Exam 16: Use of Force

Deadly force may be used only if the officer has ________ to believe that the suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm to the officer or others.

What is the test for liability in police use of excessive force cases?

Force used in policing is categorized into two types: punitive force and non-punitive force.

In use-of-deadly-force cases, the safest rule is:

In which decision did the Supreme Court expand the authority of police to use deadly force to end a severe threat to public safety?

The standard for use of force claims is set out in Tennessee v. Garner as the totality of the circumstances.

The use of force is often necessary in police work, particularly when making a(n) ________.

________ force aims to punish rather than to accomplish a legitimate goal.

A police officer may not seize an unarmed, non-dangerous suspect by intentionally shooting him or her dead.

Most law enforcement agencies have clear policies on the use of deadly force, which may be more restrictive than those allowed by the Constitution or state law.

When are police officers entitled to qualified immunity (protection from civil liability under federal law)?

The proper determination of the use of excessive force is the ___________ at the time of the Use of force.

It is reasonable for police officers to use deadly force to prevent harm to innocent bystanders.

Police officers may be held liable under the Constitution for using excessive force.

Which case law gives police officers a "break" in civil liability cases involving the use of excessive force?

What type of force used by the police is likely to have lethal consequences?

The police may lawfully use punitive force.

________ can set narrower limits on the use of force (as in rules stating that use of deadly force may only be used in instances of self-defense), but broader limits are unconstitutional.

Which of the following court cases affords police officers protection from civil liability under federal law when they use deadly force in connection with a vehicle chase?

The Court held that if the officer's conduct is subjectively reasonable, there is no excessive use of force even if the officer had bad motives or evil intent.