HPM 70.6, CH. 1 - Use Of Force

Question 1

Each officer is expected to make decisions to use force in a:

Answer 1

Professional, fair, unbiased, and objectively reasonable manner, based on the facts and the totality of the circumstances perceived by the officer at the time of the event.

Question 2

Does HPM 70.6, Chapter 1, supersede any other departmental publication in regard to the use of force?

Answer 2

Yes, this chapter shall supersede any other departmental publication in regard to the use of force.

Question 3

The Graham decision specified three primary factors to assist in determining reasonableness. While not all inclusive, these factors assist in evaluating the reasonableness of the use of force incident when considering “the totality of the circumstances.” These factors are:

Answer 3

1. Severity of the crime issue.
2. Whether the subject poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officer(s) or others.
3. Whether the subject is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.

Question 4

Define Totality of the Circumstances:

Answer 4

All facts known to the peace officer at the time, including the conduct of the officer and subject leading up to the use of force.

Question 5

Define Objective Reasonableness:

Answer 5

The reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable Officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. The force must be objectively reasonable under the circumstances known to the officer at the time force was used.

Question 6

A threat of death or serious bodily injury is ________ when, based on the totality of the circumstances, a reasonable officer in the same situation would believe that a person has the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury to the peace officer or another person.

Answer 6

Imminent

Question 7

What is the process of using strategies and techniques intended to decrease the intensity of the situation?

Answer 7

De-Escalation

Question 8

______ is any force likely to have minimal risk of causing injury to the subject.

Answer 8

Nondeadly force

Question 9

______ is any force likely to have significant risk of causing injury to the subject.

Answer 9

Intermediate Force

Question 10

______ is any use of force that creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury, but is not limited to, the discharge of a firearm.

Answer 10

Deadly Force

Question 11

Any officer who has reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed a public offense may use______ ______ _______ to affect the arrest, prevent escape, or to overcome resistance.

Answer 11

objectively reasonable force

Question 12

An officer may only use a level of force that they reasonably believe is _________ to the seriousness of the suspected offense or the reasonably perceived level of actual or threatened resistance.

Answer 12

Proportional

Question 13

What are the six force options:

Answer 13

1. Control holds
2. Personal weapons
3. Aerosol subject restraint
4. Impact weapons
5. Electronic control device
6. Kinetic energy weapons

Question 14

The force utilized to take physical control of the subject by the use of techniques designed to prevent or restrict movement or resistance.

Answer 14

Control holds

Question 15

The force in which the officer utilizes parts of their body (e.g., hands, elbows, knees, and feet.)

Answer 15

Personal weapons

Question 16

What kind of force is aerosol subject restraint?

Answer 16

Intermediate force

Question 17

Which force can be both deadly and non deadly force?

Answer 17

Impact weapons

Question 18

What kind of force is use when using an electronic control device?

Answer 18

Intermediate force

Question 19

Can an officer improvise the response to tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving conditions by the use of any tool, method, or weapon of opportunity?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

While policy cannot realistically predict every possible situation, the decision regarding which force option to select should be guided by the following key principles:

Answer 20

1. Sound professional judgment and critical decision making.
2. Use of force that is objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances perceived by the officer at the time, as provided by law, and in conformance with departmental policy.

Question 21

An officer’s ______, well not considered a use of force option, is usually sufficient to control most situations.

Answer 21

Demeanor

Question 22

The method by which officers conduct themselves, and includes bearing, appearance, physical condition, and overall command presence.

Answer 22

Officers Demeanor

Question 23

Well not every potential violent confrontation cab be de-escalated, officers do have the ability to impact the direction and outcome of many situations they handle, based on?

Answer 23

1. Sound decision making

2. The tactics they employ

Question 24

When safe and feasible under the totality of the circumstances, officers are required to utilize what techniques?

Answer 24

1. De-escalation techniques
2. Crisis intervention tactics
3. Other alternatives to force

Question 25

Flight alone is not the only factor to be taken into consideration. In addition to flight, officers shall consider:

Answer 25

1. The severity of the crime
2. Whether the subject poses an immediate threat to officers or others.
3. The officer to subject factors and environmental factors (lighting, footing, weather, etc.)

Question 26

An Officer is justified in using deadly force upon another person when in:

Answer 26

1. Self defense and/or defense of others.
2. Apprehension of a person for any felony that threatened or resulted in death or serious bodily injury.

Once an officer no longer perceives a threat, deadly force is no longer justified.

Question 27

Deadly force for apprehension of a person shall be used only when _______________________ have been exhausted and, if under the _______________________ perceived by the officer, the use of a firearm is not likely to endanger innocent persons.

Answer 27

• All other means of apprehension

* Totality of the circumstances

Question 28

Should an officer use deadly force against a person based on the danger that person poses to themselves?

Answer 28

No, as long as an objectively reasonable officer would believe the person does not post an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the peace officer or to another.

Question 29

Should warning shots be fired if deadly force is not authorized?

Answer 29

No, warning shot shall only be fired under the same conditions which authorize the use of deadly force against a human being and only if the firing of said shots is not likely to endanger innocent persons.

Question 30

An officer may draw or point a firearm at a person when:

Answer 30

Objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances.

Question 31

Officers should not place their fingers on the trigger of any firearm during a tactical situation except under the following circumstances:

Answer 31

1. When actually firing the firearm.

2. When the firearm is pointed at an identified target and the use of deadly force is justified.

Question 32

All incidents involving the use of force shall be thoroughly documented, and the documentation shall include the following:

Answer 32

1. The totality of the circumstances surrounding the use of force.
2. Method(s) of force used.
3. De-escalation strategies and techniques. (if no de-escalation strategies were used, explain why it was not feasible to do so.)
4. What, if any, medical assistance was rendered.

Question 33

When a subject requests or is provided medical attention, the arrest reports shall include, if applicable, the following additional information:

Answer 33

1. Nature of illness or injury.
2. Name of attending doctor and their recommendations.
3. A copy of the subjects discharge paperwork from the medical facility.
4. A notation the detention facility was advised of the subjects alleged or apparent injury.
5. Whether jail personnel were requested to arrange for medical care.
6. When pertinent, include time elements, symptoms, requests for aid for the subject(s), and details of the transportation and treatment.
7. All medical care provided by CHP employees shall be document in the officers report.

Question 34

Documentation from a supervisor of the use of force:

Answer 34

1. Photographs of the officers attire worn during the use of force event.
2. Photographs of injuries to the suspect(s) at the scene.
3. Photographs of the officers injuries immediately after the use of force event and several days or weeks later.
4. Statements from any victims and/or witnesses.
5. Copies of recording devices from all officers and patrol vehicles.

Question 35

All officers involved in a use of force incident shall:

Answer 35

Write their own report and/or supplemental if feasible.