Use of Force Flashcards
How can we JUSTIFY the use of force?
It must be REASONABLY OBJECTIVE.
What is Deadly Force?
Force that is intended or known by the actor to cause, or in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing, death or serious bodily injury.
What is definition of Force?
Power dynamically considered, that is, in motion or in action; constraining power, compulsion; strength directed to an end.
BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY: Force exceeds the mere touching of grabbing of an individual “Force applied to the body; actual violence”.
Reasonable Force- Black’s Law Dictionary
(Reasonable) Just; proper. Ordinary or usually. Fit and appropriate to the end in view. Having the faculty of reason; rational; governed by reason; under the influence of reason; agreeable to reason.
BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY: That degree of force which is not excessive and is appriate in protecting oneself or one’s property. When such force is used, a person is justified and is not criminally liable, nor is he liable in tort.
What is Qualified Immunity?
Protects “government officials” form liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.
Which Supreme Court case is used by which all uses of force by law enforcement are judged, and applies the concept of “objective reasonableness” to Use of Force?
Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. (1989)
What force may be used?
CCP Art 15.24
Justification as a defense?
PC 9.02 It is a defense to prosecution that the conduct in question is justified under this chapter.
Confinement as a justifiable force?
PC 9.03
Threats as justifiable force?
PC 9.04 A threat to cause death or serious bodily injury by the production of a weapon or otherwise, as long as the actors purpose is limited to creating an apprehension that he will use deadly force if necessary, does not constitute the use of deadly force. (Justifiable under state law. Possibly against department policy…check with your department!)
Reckless Injury of Innocent Third Person
PC 9.05 Even though an actor is justified under this chapter in threatening or using force or deadly force against another, if in doing so he also recklessly injures or kills an innocent third person, the justification afforded by this chapter is unavailable in a prosecution for the reckless injury or killing of the innocent third person.
Civil Remedies Unaffected
PC 9.06 The fact that conduct is justified under this chapter does not abolish or impair any remedy for the conduct that is available in a civil suit.
Where is our Legal Authority for Use of Force and Deadly Force in the Penal Code?
PC 9.51 (a) A peace officer, or a person acting in a peace officer’s presence and at his direction, is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to make or assist in making an arrest or search, or to prevent or assist in preventing escape after arrest, if:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the arrest or search is lawful or, if the arrest or search is made under a warrant, he reasonably believes the warrant is valid; and
(2) before using force, the actor manifests his purpose to arrest or search and identifies himself as a peace officer or as one acting at a peace officer’s direction, unless he reasonably believes his purpose and identity are already known by or cannot reasonably be made known to the person to be arrested. (Our purpose is generally known when you get out of a marked vehicle so really only have to worry about #1)
(b) A person other than a peace officer (or one acting at his direction) is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to make or assist in making a lawful arrest, or to prevent or assist in preventing escape after lawful arrest if, before using force, the actor manifests his purpose to and the reason for the arrest or reasonably believes his purpose and the reason are already known by or cannot reasonably be made known to the person to be arrested.
(c) A peace officer is justified in using deadly force against another when and to the degree the peace officer reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary to make an arrest, or to prevent escape after arrest, if the use of force would have been justified under Subsection (a) and:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the conduct for which arrest is authorized included the use or attempted use of deadly force; or
(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a substantial risk that the person to be arrested will cause death or serious bodily injury to the actor or another if the arrest is delayed.
(d) A person other than a peace officer acting in a peace officer’s presence and at his direction is justified in using deadly force against another when and to the degree the person reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary to make a lawful arrest, or to prevent escape after a lawful arrest, if the use of force would have been justified under Subsection (b) and: (1) the actor reasonably believes the felony or offense against the public peace for which arrest is authorized included the use or attempted use of deadly force; or (2) the actor reasonably believes there is a substantial risk that the person to be arrested will cause death or serious bodily injury to another if the arrest is delayed.
(e) There is no duty to retreat before using deadly force justified by Subsection (c) or (d).
(f) Nothing in this section relating to the actor’s manifestation of purpose or identity shall be construed as conflicting with any other law relating to the issuance, service, and execution of an arrest or search warrant either under the laws of this state or the United States.
(g) Deadly force may only be used under the circumstances enumerated in Subsections (c) and (d).
Administrative or ________ should be at least as restrictive as the law. In many cases it will be more strict than legal restrictions.
departmental policy
Individual choice or __________ reflects the inner controls of the officer.
conscience
Force Options
Command presence. Verbal tactics. Weaponless strategies. Weapon strategies. Deadly force.
________ is essentially presenting yourself as someone in authority, trusted and respected.
Command Presence
___ % of an officer’s duties involve verbal skills.
97
Only about __ % of contacts require physical force.
3
___ % of the time a message is received due to content.
7
__ % of the time a message is received and interpreted based on how something is said rather than what is said.
93
Improper Listening
not paying attention to what is said; such as merely waiting for the opportunity to speak as soon as someone finishes talking.
__________ is a professional skill, not just luck.
Communication
Frustrated people often ________.
Resist.
Do not take things ______.
Personally.
Problems often _____ as confrontation progresses
change
If person has a friend in the audience you may try to _______.
enlist their help.
Obstacles to effective communication:
time of day, weather, location, external noise, officer’s own mood, person’s values and beliefs, or the person is deaf, mentally ill, mentally retarded, intoxicated, etc.
Moral considerations include both statutory and _____ law.
CASE
An officer should consider the following factors when assessing the need to use force:
Is the suspect submitting peacefully or resisting?
Is the suspect armed?
What is the nature of the crime?
Does the suspect have a previous arrest record or history showing a pattern of violence?
What is the number of suspects involved?
How much support from other officers is available?
Only the ____________ necessary to effect the arrest should be used.
minimum amount of force
_____ must be controlled and used wisely with a purpose.
Force
In every arrest situation the officers must be firm and be _________ to protect themselves and others
Prepared
Emotions, Attitudes, Prejudices:
Arrest can be both an emotional and physical problem for officer and arrestee.
Emotional response or reaction is directly involved in an encounter between an officer an a violator.
Attitudes or prejudices can lead to conflict.
An officer has the potential to reduce the problems and danger associated with physical arrest if s/he is firm but fair with the violator.
Emotional responses are often the direct result of uncertainty.
Uncertainty is likely to result in compensating behavior.
Compensating behavior may take one of the following forms: hesitation, verbal abuse, bluff, unnecessary force.