When may deadly force be exercised?

When may deadly force be exercised?

• A. Only when all other reasonable efforts to subdue have failed or reasonable efforts cannot succeed without endangering the life of the enforcement member or others.
• B. As a first option whenever a subject resists.
• C. Only when the subject is armed with a firearm.
• D. Only in self-defense of property.

Answer: (A)

Deadly force is a last-resort tool used to stop an imminent threat to life or serious bodily harm, and it should only be employed after every reasonable alternative to subdue the situation has been tried or would likely fail without putting lives at risk. This reflects the principles of necessity and proportionality in use-of-force: escalate to deadly force only when non-deadly options are inadequate to prevent a grave threat. Think of it as a continuum: you start with steps like verbal commands and non-lethal techniques, and only move to deadly force when those options are no longer viable to protect you or others. This is why using deadly force simply because someone resists is not correct—resistance alone does not prove an imminent, life-threatening danger. It’s also broader than just someone armed with a firearm; other threats or imminent risks can justify deadly force if they place lives in danger. And it’s not about protecting property; deadly force is about protecting life and safety.

Deadly force is a last-resort tool used to stop an imminent threat to life or serious bodily harm, and it should only be employed after every reasonable alternative to subdue the situation has been tried or would likely fail without putting lives at risk. This reflects the principles of necessity and proportionality in use-of-force: escalate to deadly force only when non-deadly options are inadequate to prevent a grave threat.

Think of it as a continuum: you start with steps like verbal commands and non-lethal techniques, and only move to deadly force when those options are no longer viable to protect you or others.

This is why using deadly force simply because someone resists is not correct—resistance alone does not prove an imminent, life-threatening danger. It’s also broader than just someone armed with a firearm; other threats or imminent risks can justify deadly force if they place lives in danger. And it’s not about protecting property; deadly force is about protecting life and safety.