Chapter 15-Use of force

Question 1

two types of force

Answer 1

non-deadly and deadly force

Question 2

deadly force

Answer 2

likely to produce death or serious bodily injury

Question 3

deadly force cases, safest rule is

Answer 3

follow department policy strictly

Question 4

non-deadly force cases, the rule is

Answer 4

use only reasonable force, meaning only as much force as is needed to accomplish a legitimate goal.

Question 5

regardless of circumstances, the rule is that police must never

Answer 5

use punitive force

Question 6

Tennessee v Garner, 1985

Answer 6

Court held police may not use deadly force to prevent the escape of a suspect unless it is necessary and officer has probable cause to believe that suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to officer or others

Question 7

Graham v Conner, 1989

Answer 7

set the liability in police use of excessive force cases.

Question 8

Court held that the test for liability under Section 1983 cases is

Answer 8

objective reasonableness.

rather than substantive due process.

Question 9

objective reasonableness

Answer 9

judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.

Question 10

Suspect must first be warned when

Answer 10

feasible

Question 11

police may be held liable under the Constitution for using excessive force. The test is liability is “objective reasonableness”

Answer 11

Graham v Conner

Question 12

The old “substantive due process” test used by many courts prior to Graham, required the courts to consider whether the officer acted in

Answer 12

Good faith or maliciously and sadistically for purpose of causing harm

Question 13

police attempt to terminate a dangerous high-speed car chase that threatens lives of innocent bystanders does not violate the 4th, even when it places the fleeing motorist at risk of serious injury or death

Answer 13

Scott v Harris, 2007
scott performed a pit manuveur to end a high speed chase that was dangerous for citizens. Harris lost control of his car and wrecked. Harris badly injured and is a quadriplegic.
no violations of Constitution, using deadly force to stop a chase.

Question 14

Court argued that it is reasonable for officers to use deadly force to prevent harm to innocent bystanders, even if such use of deadly force puts the fleeing motorist at serious risk to injury or death.

Answer 14

Harris case

officers are not civilly liable under federal law.

Question 15

determining the reasonalbeness of the manner in which a seizure is effected

Answer 15

must balance the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual’s 4th interest against the importance of the governmental interest alleged to justify the intrusion.
Case is significant for officers because it affords them protection from civil liability under Title III