3.110 Use of Force Policy

Question 1

It is this policy of this department officers hold the highest regard for the _______ and _________ of all persons and place minimal reliance upon the use of force.

Answer 1

Diginity, Liberty

Question 2

What is the basic concept of the deparment’s Use of Force Policy?

Answer 2

The department respects the sanctity of every human life, and the application of deadly force is a measure to be employed in the most extreme circumstances where lesser means of force have failed or could not be resaonably considered.

Question 3

What is LVMPD committed to doing in the Use of Force Policy?

Answer 3

LVMPD is committed to protecting people, their property and rights while providing the best in public safety and service.

Question 4

Why is the proper Use of Force essential?

Answer 4

The proper use of force is essential for ensuring impartial policing and for building trust in the community.

Question 5

What should officers remain mindful all, when regarding LVMPD 8.174, Respect for Individual Rights of Persons)?

Answer 5

Officers must remain mindful they derive their authority from the community and unreasonable force degrades the legitimacy of said authority.

Question 6

How does the department seek to manage the use of force beyond the Graham v. Connor (1989) standard?

Answer 6

By establising further parameters for the application of force and to offer explicit direction to officers.

With sound judgement, the appropriate exercise of discretion, and the adherence to department policy will always be the foundation of officer decision-making in the broad range of possible use of force situations.

Question 7

When may officers use force?

Answer 7

Officers may use force to protect themselves or others, overcome resistance, to effect a lawful detention, a lawful arrest, or to conduct a lawful search.

Question 8

When are officers legally authorized to use deadly force?

Answer 8

Officers are legally authorized to use deadly force to effect an arrest when in compliance with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and the legal standards under Tennessee v. Garner (1985) to:

1. Protect themselves or others from what is reasonbly believed to be an imminent threat of death or subnstantial bodily injury.
2. Prevent the escape of a fleeing felon who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a violent felony crime and is an imminent threat to human life is escape should occur.

Question 9

Will officers give a warning before the use of deadly force?

Answer 9

True: Yes, officers will give a warning, IF FEASIBLE, before the use of deadly force.

Question 10

Officers will only use a level of force which is objectively reasonable…?

Answer 10

Officers will only use a level of force which is objectively reasonable to bring an incident or persons under control and to safely accomplish a lawful purpose.

Question 11

An officer’s use of force must balance against…?

Answer 11

An officer’s use of force must balance against the level of resistance exhibited by the subject.

Question 12

What must an officer do when administering a level of force?

Answer 12

The level of force administered by an officer must be carefully controlled and should not be more than objectively reasonable to overcome the physical harm threatened.

Question 13

Officers will only use the amount of reasonable force necessary to effect an arrest. TRUE or FALSE?

Answer 13

True as stated in NRS 171.1455

Question 14

In a confrontation, an officer will ______ their response and ______any use of force accordingly based upon the level of resistance encountered.

Answer 14

Continuously reassess; Adjust

Question 15

What is a potential result for failure to reassess each application of force?

Answer 15

Failure to reassess each application of force can lead to a violation of law and/or policy.

Question 16

What is the intent of use of force?

Answer 16

The intent is to gain control of a subject and then transition into a custody phase where an officer is able to focus on the subject’s welfare.

Question 17

In choosing a force option, the ______ and _______ of the crime underlying the police and citizen interaction must be considered.

Answer 17

Nature, Severity

Question 18

Objective factors which effect the reasonableness of the force include:

Answer 18

1. Severity of the crime
2. Whether the subject poses and immediate threat to the safety of officers or others
3. Whether the subject is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight
4. The influence of drugs/alcohol or the mental capacity of the subject
5. The time available to an officer to make a decision
6. The availability of officers or reasources (including the number of officers present at the time) to de-escalate the situation
7. The proxiimity or access of weapons to the subject
8. The environmental factors and/or other exigent circumstances

Question 19

Supervisiors will possess a thorough knowledge of _____ and ensure officers under their supervision perform to a standard (in accordance with LVMPD policy and training).

Answer 19

Tactics

Question 20

What is enhanced when supervisiors become involved in the managment of the overall response to a potentitally violent encounter?

Answer 20

The prospect of a favorable outcome is often enhanced when supervisors become involved in the managment of the overall response to a potentitally violent encounter by coordinating officers’ tactical actions.

Question 21

Supervisiors will _______ an _______ to incidents in a timely manner when officer use of reportable force is probrable (see LVMPD 3.300 Supervisors Tactics for Armed Subject Response).

Answer 21

Acknowledge and Respond

Question 22

Supervisors will also manage the deployment of reasources and equipment. TRUE or FALSE?

Answer 22

True

Question 23

When dealing with a dynamic and highly charged incident(s), supervisiors will…..

Answer 23

In dynamic and highly charged incidents, supervisors will provide clear direction and communication to officers regarding their positions and roles.

Question 24

Upon observing substandard approaches or flaws in tactical decisions, a supervisior will?

Answer 24

Upon observing substandard officer approaches or flaws in tactical decisions, the supervisor will promptly act to correct any deficiencies.

Question 25

How many days does a reporting officer have to document a unjustified use of force?

Answer 25

Reporting officer will document in writing no later than 10 days after the occurrence.

1. Date, time, and location of the incident
2. Identity, if known, and description of the participants
3. Description of the actions taken as a result of the observation