Deck 16: Use of Force

Question 1

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

A) Illegal force
B) Deadly force
C) Punitive force
D) Physical force

Answer 1

Deadly force

Question 2

Which of the following Supreme Court cases clarifies the extent to which the police may use deadly force to prevent the escape of an unarmed felon?

A) Graham v. Connor
B) Terry v. Ohio
C) Scott v. Harris
D) Tennessee v. Garner

Answer 2

Tennessee v. Garner

Question 3

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.

A) Reasonable suspicion
B) Exclusive evidence
C) Probable cause
D) Logical suspicion

Answer 3

Probable cause

Question 4

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

A) Graham v. Connor
B) Miranda v. Arizona
C) Scott v. Harris
D) Whren v. United States

Question 5

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

A) "Substantive due process"
B) "Procedural due process"
C) "Objective reasonableness"
D) "Subjective reasonableness"

Question 6

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?

A) Graham v. Connor
B) Miranda v. Arizona
C) Scott v. Harris
D) Whren v. United States

Question 7

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

A) United States v. Place
B) Graham v. Connor
C) Tennessee v. Garner
D) Plumhoff v. Rickard

Question 8

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

A) Search
B) Arrest
C) Investigatory stop
D) Detention

Question 9

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

A) Excessive
B) Deadly
C) Intense
D) Punitive

Question 10

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

A) Only use deadly force when a suspect is escaping
B) To only use punitive force
C) To follow department policy strictly
D) To follow the advice of veteran police officers

Question 11

________ 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.

A) Only federal laws
B) Only state laws
C) Only departmental rules
D) Both state laws and departmental rules

Question 12

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

A) In instances in which their conduct did not violate any established law
B) Whenever they have the support of the public
C) Whenever they have the support of their peers
D) All of the above

Question 13

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

A) Consideration of each factor individually
B) External circumstances
C) Totality of circumstances
D) Consideration of only incriminating factors

Question 14

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

Question 15

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.

Question 16

The police may lawfully use punitive force.

Question 17

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.

Question 18

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

Question 19

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

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