Use Of Force Flashcards
Sound judgement, the appropriate _____________ of ____________, 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.
(Use of Force)
Exercise of discretion
An officer’s use of force must balance against the level of resistance exhibited by the subject. The level of force administered by an officer must be carefully controlled and should not be more than ______________ ________________ to overcome the physical harm threatened.
(Use of Force)
Objectively reasonable
As stated in NRS 171.1455, officers will only use the amount of reasonable force necessary to effect an arrest. In choosing a force option, officers will consider the _____________ and _____________ of the crime.
(Use of Force)
Nature and severity
The intent is to ________ ____________ of a subject and then transition into a ___________ ___________ where an officer is able to focus on the subject’s welfare
(Use of Force)
Gain control / custody phase
The US Supreme Court’s decisions and interpretations of the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution states an officer shall only use such force as is “______________ _____________” under all of the circumstances.
(Use of Force)
“Objectively reasonable”
Objective factors that affect the reasonableness of the force include:
(Use of Force)
1 - The severity of the crime
2 - Whether the subject poses an 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 resources (including the number of officers present at the time) to de-escalate the situation
7 - The proximity or access of weapons to the subject
8 - The environmental factors and/or other exigent circumstances
At times, ________________ may mean the timely and appropriate use of a lower force option to mitigate a later need to use greater force. Officers will make efforts to control a confrontation and not allow it to escalate.
(Use of Force)
De-escalation
When reasonable, officers should gather information about the incident, assess the risks, assemble resources and equipment, attempt to ____________ _____ ________________, and communicate and coordinate a response.
(Use of Force)
Slow the momentum
Any officer present, regardless of rank, and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond what is justified or objectively reasonable under the circumstances will, when in a safe position to do so, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force.
(Use of Force)
Duty to intervene
Officers will be mindful that persons who are in a prolonged physical encounter with officers may be at an increased risk of __________ ____________. Incidents involving these persons should be considered __________ _____________.
(Use of Force)
Medical distress / medical emergencies
Officers will not restrain subjects who are in custody and under control in a manner that compromises their ______________ ____ ______________.
(Use of Force)
Ability to breathe
Levels of resistance
(Use of Force)
Compliant
Obstructive
Assaultive
Life Threatening
A person contacted by an officer who acknowledges direction or lawful orders given and offers no resistance.
(Use of Force)
Compliant
The subject is uncooperative, not complying with an officer’s commands, or their physical actions are intended to prevent an officer from placing the subject into custody or under control; the subject’s actions are not directed at harming the officer or others.
(Use of Force)
Obstructive
The subject demonstrates the intent to harm the officer, others, or themselves.
(Use of Force)
Assaultive
The subject’s actions are likely to result in death or substantial bodily injury to the officer or others.
(Use of Force)
Life-threatening
A subject becoming dead weight is an example of what type of resistance and falls under what level of control.
(Use of Force)
Obstructive / Low level
A level of force where ECD use is appropriate
(Use of Force)
Intermediate force
Elements of deadly force
(Use of Force)
1 - Ability
2 - Opportunity
3 - Imminent jeopardy
4 - Preclusion
The intentional use of ________ ______ ________ ECD simultaneously on the same subject is prohibited
(Use of Force)
More than one
Can an ECD be used on a handcuffed person?
(Use of Force)
No
Can an ECD be used when the officer knows the subject has come in contact with flammable liquids or substances?
(Use of Force)
No
Can an ECD be used on a fleeing subject (without other known factors)?
(Use of Force)
No, mere flight from an officer cannot be the sole justification for use of the ECD.
Can an ECD be used on persons with known heart conditions?
(Use of Force)
No
An officer will not draw an ECD and a _________________ at the same time.
(Use of Force)
Firearm
When deploying an ECD, officers will use the standard ECD ___________ _____________ cycle, and then evaluate the need to apply another _____________ __________ cycle after providing the subjects with an opportunity to comply.
(Use of Force)
Five second
Each subsequent five second cycle (of the ECD) requires _______________ ______________.
(Use of Force)
Additional justification
Once the subjects has been exposed to ____________ _____________, the ECD will be deemed ineffective, and another use of force option will be considered unless exigent circumstances exist.
(Use of Force)
Three cycles
Begin restraint procedures, including ____________ _____________ ____________, as soon as reasonably safe to minimize the total duration of ECD exposures.
(Use of Force)
Cuffing under power
Approved use for Canine with an Obstructive subject:
(Use of Force)
Handlers will keep the patrol dog on leash and not allow the dog to make contact with the subjects.
Approved use for Canine with an Assaultive or Life-threatening subject
(Use of Force)
Canine with bite is approved when there is probable cause to believe a subject has committed a violent or felony crime, or is a threat to themselves or others, and is evading efforts to be taken into custody.
Intermediate Force PIT is used at speeds of ___________________________.
(Use of Force)
40mph or below
Deadly force PIT is used at speeds _______________________________________ or when used on _________________________________________________.
(Use of Force)
-Greater than 40mph
-A high center-of-gravity vehicle likely to roll over
Ramming - to be used when all other means of ________________ have been considered and rejected as impractical and an imminent threat of ____________________ or ________________ _______________ ________ exists.
(Use of Force)
Apprehension / death / substantial bodily harm
Projectile weapons as Intermediate Force:
(Use of Force)
Low lethality shotgun when fired at a distance of seven yards or greater
40mm specialty impact weapon when fired at a distance of five yards or greater
Projectile weapons as Deadly Force
(Use of Force)
Low Lethality Shotgun when fired at a distance less than seven yards.
40mm specialty impact weapon when fired at a distance less than five yards.
Projectile weapons should only be used against persons who are armed, have access to a weapon, or pose an ____________________ ________________ to the safety of the officers or others. Examples of these circumstances are an edged weapon, club, pipe, bottle, or a brick.
(Use of Force)
Imminent threat
Projectile weapons may be used against persons who are holding a firearm if it can be utilized to de-escalate and intervene with a potential deadly force situation; however, the following conditions must be met:
(Use of Force)
1 - A minimum of two officers are present, one officer acting as lethal coverage
2 - Officers have considered the use of available cover/concealment.
Officers will not discharge their firearm at a moving vehicle unless:
(Use of Force)
1 - A person in the vehicle is an imminent deadly threat to officers or others by means other than the vehicle (such as an occupant firing a handgun at an officer).
2 - The driver is using the vehicle as a weapon to inflict mass casualties (such as a truck driving through a crowd).
Officers will not discharge a firearm from a moving vehicle unless a person is an _______________ ______________ ______________ to officers or others (such as discharge must be limited to the most extreme circumstances)
(Use of Force)
Imminent deadly threat
A Use of Force Report is required by __________ ____________ who uses reportable force in an incident.
(Use of Force)
Each officer
Critical Incident Review Team (CIRT) will complete the _______ ______ _________ __________ on officer involved shootings or use of deadly force incidents, and when applicable, the Pursuit Report.
(Use of Force)
Use of Force Report
The _____________ ___________ ____________ is a series of questions asked of the shooting officer to obtain information to determine if an immediate threat to _________ _________ exists. The ______ must be taken in a timely manner and appropriate action conducted based on the information received from the _______.
(Use of Force)
Public Safety Statement / public safety / PSS / PSS
When practical, only the __________ __________ and a _____________ should be present during the PSS.
(Use of Force)
Shooting officer / supervisor
If multiple officers are involved, the PSS should be done ____________ with each officer.
(Use of Force)
Separately
In the event where the supervisor is involved in an officer involved shooting and no other supervisor is immediately available to take the PSS, the _____________ ______________ on scene will conduct the PSS.
(Use of Force)
Senior Officer
Officers must remain mindful that they derive their authority from the community and that ______________ _______________ degrades the legitimacy of that authority.
(Use of Force)
Unreasonable force
An officer’s actions to slow down, stabilize, and resolve an incident as safely as possible by reducing danger through the use of verbal persuasion, tactics, resources, and transitioning through force options.
(Use of Force)
De-escalation
The movement, progression, or reduction from the application of once force type to another.
(Use of Force)
Force transitions
An impending violent act, harm, or resistance that will likely occur if not instantly confronted or addressed.
(Use of Force)
Imminent threat
An objective standard of force viewed from the perspective of a reasonable officer, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, and based on the totality of the circumstances presented at the moment the force is used.
(Use of Force)
Objectively reasonable
The placement of a subject’s body in a manner that does not restrict breathing or obstruct the airway.
(Use of Force)
Recovery position
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.
2.
(Use of Force)
- Protect themselves or others from what is reasonably believed to be an imminent threat of death or substantial bodily injury.
- 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 if escape should occur.
Officers will give a warning, if feasible, before the use of ________________.
(Use of Force)
Deadly force
Failure to reassess each _______________________ can lead to a violation of law and/or policy.
(Use of Force)
Application of force
The standard that courts use to examine whether a use of force is constitutional was first set forth in __________________________ and expanded by subsequent court cases.
(Use of Force)
Graham v. Connor
As a strategy to diminish the likelihood and the severity of force, officers will attempt to ____________ confrontations.
(Use of Force)
De-escalate
Where potential confrontations are anticipated, the deployment and use of __________________ options should be evaluated.
(Use of Force)
Low Lethality
Supervisors will acknowledge and respond to incidents in a timely manner when officer use of _______________ is probable.
(Use of Force)
Reportable force
The prospect of a ________________ is often enhanced when supervisors become involved in the management of the overall response to a potentially violent encounter by coordinating officers’ tactical actions.
(Use of Force)
Favorable outcome
Whenever an officer applies a use of force option upon a subject that results in either observable signs or complaints of injury or difficulty in breathing, the officer will continuously __________________ and immediately _____________________.
(Use of Force)
Monitor the subject / summon medical attention
Proned handcuffed subjects will be immediately placed in a ____________ or _______ position once safe to do so.
(Use of Force)
Recovery / seated
Compliant Resistance / Low Level Force:
1.
2.
3.
4.
(Use of Force)
- Officers Presence
- Verbal communications
- Empty Hand Tactics (Escorts)
- Handcuffs/Hobbles
Obstructive Resistance / Low Level Force:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(Use of Force)
- Baton (As Escort Tool)
- Empty Hand Tactics (Takedowns)
- Stationary Vehicle Immobilization Technique
- DSD Specialty Restraint Chair
- K-9 (On Leash)
Assaultive Resistance / Intermediate Force
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
(Use of Force)
- Empty Hand Tactics (Strikes, Kicks)
- OC Spray
- ECD
- Baton/Impact Weapons (Jabs, Strikes)
- PIT (Speeds 40mph or below)
- Low Lethality Shotgun (7 Yards or Greater)
- 40mm Specialty Impact Weapon (5 Yards or Greater)
- DSD Specialty Restraints
- K-9 (With Bites)
Life-Threatening Resistance / Deadly Force:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
(Use of Force)
- Firearms Use
- Low Lethality Shotgun (Less than 7 Yards)
- 40mm Specialty Impact Weapon (Less than 5 Yards)
- Baton (Deadly Force Areas)
- PIT (More than 40mph)
- Ramming.
General categories of behavior or actions exhibited by a subject at the time of a police encounter:
(Use of Force)
Levels of Resistance
A subject fleeing while in control of a weapon (e.g., firearm in a waistband) is an example of what level of resistance.
(Use of Force)
Assaultive
A subject taking a fighting stance, punching, kicking, striking, or attacking with weapons is an example of what level of resistance.
(Use of Force)
Assaultive
A subject standing stationary and not moving upon lawful direction is an example of what level of resistance?
(Use of Force)
Obstructive
A subject holding onto a fixed object (e.g., utility pole or steering wheel) or locking arms with another during a protest is an example of what level of resistance?
(Use of Force)
Obstructive
A subject walking or running away is an example of what level of resistance?
(Use of Force)
Obstructive
A subject breaking the officer’s grip is an example of what level of resistance?
(Use of Force)
Obstructive
The imminent use of a firearm, blunt, or bladed weapon is an example of what level of resistance?
(Use of Force)
Life-Threatening
Extreme physical force is an example of what level of resistance?
(Use of Force)
Life-threatening
Broad categories of influence and force in escalating stages of intensity.
(Use of Force)
Levels of Control
A level of control that balances against a subject who is compliant or obstructive and is neither likely nor intended to cause injury.
(Use of Force)
Low Level Force
A level of control that balances against a subject who is assaultive and has the potential to cause injury or substantial pain.
(Use of Force)
Intermediate Force
A degree of force which balances against a subject whose actions are life-threatening and likely to result in death or substantial bodily injury.
(Use of Force)
Deadly Force
Exists when the person has the means or capability to cause substantial bodily injury or death to an officer or others. __________ may include the subject’s size, age, strength, combative skill, level of aggression, and any weapons in their immediate control.
(Use of Force)
Ability
Exists when a person is in a position to effectively resist an officer’s control or to use force or violence upon the officer or others. Examples which may affect ___________ include:
A. Relative distance to the officer or others.
B. Physical barriers between the subject and the officer.
(Use of Force)
Opportunity
Based upon the known facts and circumstances, the officer reasonably believes the subject poses an imminent threat to the life of an officer or others, and the officer must act immediately to prevent death or substantial bodily injury.
(Use of Force)
Imminent Jeopardy
Lesser alternatives have been reasonably considered and exhausted before the use of deadly force, to include disengagement.
(Use of Force)
Preclusion
If feasible, before the use of any approved weapon, the officer will _______________ with other officers in the area and issue a ____________ to the subject. Officers will give the subject a reasonable opportunity to comply. This is particularly important in preventing _____________ when utilizing projectile weapons or the ECD.
(Use of Force)
Communicate / warning / sympathetic fire
Officers will not use a baton, ECD, or projectile weapon on a woman who is believed to be ______________ unless the subject displays life-threatening resistance.
(Use of Force)
Pregnant
Officers will not use an ECD or projectile weapon when the subject is in an ___________________ where a fall is likely to result in substantial bodily injury or death unless the subject displays life-threatening resistance. This is particularly important when utilizing the ECD.
(Use of Force)
Elevated position
Officers will not use physical force solely to stop a person from _____________ a substance that is in their mouth or to retrieve evidence from a person’s mouth.
(Use of Force)
Swallowing
When a vicious dog (or other aggressive, unsecured animal) is encountered and the safety of officers or others is compromised, an officer should use a _____________ (preferred tool) or may use OC spray or ECD to stop or ward off an attack as options other than deadly force.
(Use of Force)
Catchpole
Officers are to exercise _____ and __________ in handling department-approved weapons. Officers will refrain from the unnecessary drawing, handling, or exhibiting of a weapon while in public; the purpose of drawing and manipulating a department-approved tool is to address a potential conflict or tactical situation at hand.
(Use of Force)
Care / Caution
Handcuffing is approved during investigative detentions where one of the following factors are present and only for as long as the circumstances exist, not to exceed 60 minutes:
1. Articulable facts that the subject is ______________.
2. Articulable facts that a subject’s actions may present physical ____________ to themselves or others if not restrained.
3. Reasonable possibility of _________ based on the actions of the subject.
4. Information that the subject is currently ___________.
5. The stop closely follows a __________ _________, and the subject matches specific parts of a description.
6. Articulable facts that a crime of ____________ is about to occur.
(Use of Force)
- Physically uncooperative
- Danger
- Flight
- Armed
- Violent crime
- Violence
When responding to a security officer where a subject has been placed in handcuffs prior to the officer’s arrival, the officer will not place _________________ on the subject until the officer has reasonable suspicion or probable cause based on their independent investigation.
(Use of Force)
LVMPD handcuffs
Officers are discouraged from using their firearm as an impact tool due to the possibility of a ________________.
(Use of Force)
Negligent Discharge
OC spray will not be used on a handcuffed subject unless the subject is displaying ________________________.
(Use of Force)
Assaultive resistance
In a protest or demonstration situation, OC spray may only be used when authorized by an ____________________ in response to imminent threat of harm.
(Use of Force)
Incident commander
A non-contact demonstration of the ECD’s ability to discharge electricity.
(Use of Force)
Spark Display
A pain-compliance application of the ECD, with or without the use of a cartridge, by making direct contact against a subject’s body. The use of a ________ application is discouraged unless used to complete neuro-muscular incapacitation by closing a circuit when probes have already been deployed.
(Use of Force)
Touch Stun
The primary function of the ECD where the cartridge is deployed, firing probes at the subject. The intent is to temporarily immobilize the subject as the ECD is cycled and provide an officer with a “window of opportunity” in which to take the subject safely into custody.
(Use of Force)
Probe Mode
ECD: Reasonable effort should be made to target the ___________ _________ _________ and avoid intentionally targeting the head, neck, groin, and chest. Back shots are the preferred target area.
(Use of Force)
Lower center mass
Since the use of patrol dogs may inflame a volatile situation, the department places limitations on their use for crowd control, civil disorders, or riot situations. In such an occurrence, the canine teams may be dispatched in a standby status. Any subsequent use of canine is only authorized by a _______________________ for extreme emergencies.
(Use of Force)
Lieutenant or higher
The positioning of a police vehicle in the path of an occupied subject vehicle where contact between the vehicles is anticipated to be minimal, and the potential for injuries is low. The intent of _________ is to prevent an avenue of escape by the safe placement of a police vehicle. ___________ is not a use of force.
(Use of Force)
Blocking
A specific manner of intentional contact using a police vehicle against a fleeing vehicle during a pursuit to cause the fleeing vehicle to come to an abrupt stop, rendering it immobile.
(Use of Force)
Precision Intervention Technique (PIT)
The utilization of a police vehicle to intentionally hit another vehicle.
(Use of Force)
Ramming
A preplanned containment tactic restricted for use only by units in the SWAT Bureau and the Major Violator Section. It employs extremely low-speed and intentional vehicle contact with a subject’s vehicle. The purpose is to prevent a vehicle pursuit and render a vehicle immobile.
(Use of Force)
Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT)
Officers will be aware of the potential for _____________________ when a fellow officer discharges a firearm
(Use of Force)
Sympathetic fire
Officers should shoot at the ______________ for maximum stopping effectiveness and minimal danger to bystanders. Accurate shot placement is imperative. Missing an intended target provides the most risk to citizens and officers and does not stop a deadly threat.
(Use of Force)
Center mass
Officers are not authorized to discharge a firearm:
1.
2.
(Use of Force)
- As warning shots
- If it appears likely that a bystander may be injured
A designated officer who is not involved in the use of deadly force and whose responsibilities are to prevent discussions regarding the incident among subject officers, witness officers, witnesses, and with other individuals who arrive at the scene prior to the Force Investigation Team (FIT).
(Use of Force)
Monitor Officer
Levels of Control that require the completion of a Use of Force Report include:
1.
2.
3.
(Use of Force)
- Low-level force that results in injury, complaint of injury, or complaint of continuing pain.
- All intermediate force.
- All deadly force.
Supervisor will document how a use of force has been determined to be appropriate and in adherence to department policy. If the use of force is determined to not be appropriate, it will be sent through the chain of command to decide if a _____________________ is necessary. If other misconduct is identified, the supervisor will document how it was addressed.
(Use of Force)
Statement of Complaint (SOC)
FIT will conduct a voluntary interview with the officer whose use of force resulted in death or substantial bodily injury, a minimum of _________ after the incident (unless waived by the subject officer). The subject officer has the right to decline to be interviewed.
(Use of Force)
48 hours
Use of Canine Levels of Control:
-Low Level Force -
-Intermediate Force -
(Use of Force)
- On Leash
- With Bite
Use of VCT is prohibited when a subject vehicle has __________________ occupants, at least one of whom is not directly associated with the original crime.
(Use of Force)
Three or more
The _____________________ is a reportable use of force whether or not an injury, complaint of injury, or complaint of continuing pain occurred.
(Use of Force)
Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT)
IAB will complete the Firearm Discharge Report on:
(Use of Force)
Negligent discharge of a firearm whether on or off duty.
