PPCT – PRESSURE POINT CONTROL TACTICS
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
200 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What does PPCT stand for? A: Pressure Point Control Tactics.
2. Q: Who developed the original PPCT Management System? A: Bruce
Siddle.
3. Q: What is the primary goal of PPCT? A: To provide officers with a
humane and effective system to control resistant subjects while
minimising the potential for injury.
4. Q: What are the three main components of the PPCT system? A:
Pressure point techniques, joint manipulation, and defensive
counterstrikes.
5. Q: What nervous system does PPCT primarily target? A: The
sympathetic nervous system.
6. Q: What is the definition of "reasonable force"? A: Force that is
objectively reasonable based on the totality of circumstances known to
the officer at the time.
7. Q: What is the basis for use of force decisions according to PPCT? A:
Subject behavior and officer perception of threat.
8. Q: What is the primary difference between pain compliance and
motor dysfunction techniques? A: Pain compliance relies on the subject
feeling pain and choosing to comply, while motor dysfunction physically
prevents movement regardless of pain tolerance.
9. Q: What is the "golden rule" of physical control? A: Control from the
ground up - establish a stable base before attempting control techniques.
, 10.Q: What is the PPCT Survival Stress Model? A: A model explaining
how stress affects performance, with four phases: alarm, resistance,
exhaustion, and recovery.
Use of Force and Legal Considerations
11.Q: What Supreme Court case established the "objective
reasonableness" standard for use of force? A: Graham v. Connor
(1989).
12.Q: What are the three factors outlined in Graham v. Connor? A: The
severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and
whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest.
13.Q: What is the key determining factor in whether force is excessive?
A: Whether it was objectively reasonable under the circumstances.
14.Q: What is the definition of "deadly force"? A: Force that creates a
substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury.
15.Q: What is the PPCT Use of Force Continuum? A: A model that
correlates subject behaviors with appropriate officer responses.
16.Q: What is "officer presence" in the Use of Force Continuum? A:
The lowest level of force, where the mere presence of an officer can gain
compliance.
17.Q: What is the highest level of the Use of Force Continuum? A:
Deadly force.
18.Q: What is the "Tennessee v. Garner" case about? A: It established
that using deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect is only justified if the
officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat
of death or serious injury.
19.Q: What is the "totality of circumstances" principle? A: It requires
considering all facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time
force was used.
20.Q: When is an officer justified in using PPCT control techniques? A:
When facing active resistance or active aggression from a subject.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
21.Q: What are pressure points? A: Anatomical locations where nerves
are close to the surface and can be manipulated to create pain or motor
dysfunction.
, 22.Q: What nerve plexus is targeted in the brachial stun? A: The brachial
plexus.
23.Q: What is the mandibular angle pressure point? A: The pressure
point located at the angle of the jawbone.
24.Q: Where is the infraorbital pressure point located? A: Below the eye
on the cheekbone.
25.Q: What is the primary effect of striking the common peroneal
nerve? A: Temporary motor dysfunction of the leg.
26.Q: What is an anatomical consideration when applying the carotid
restraint? A: To avoid pressure on the trachea (windpipe) and focus
pressure on the sides of the neck.
27.Q: What are the symptoms of positional asphyxia? A: Difficulty
breathing, panic, respiratory arrest potentially leading to death.
28.Q: What is "excited delirium"? A: A medical emergency characterized
by agitation, aggression, acute distress, and sudden death, often
associated with drug use.
29.Q: What is "defensive resistance"? A: When a subject pulls away or
shields themselves without attempting to harm the officer.
30.Q: What type of pain is produced by pressure point control
techniques? A: Transient pain that doesn't cause injury when properly
applied.
Tactical Handcuffing
31.Q: What is the primary purpose of handcuffing? A: To safely and
temporarily restrain a person's movements.
32.Q: What is the proper position for handcuffing a compliant subject?
A: Standing with their back to the officer, feet spread, and hands behind
their back.
33.Q: What is the recommended distance between an officer and subject
during handcuffing? A: Approximately 3-4 feet (reactionary gap).
34.Q: When should double-locking of handcuffs occur? A: As soon as
practical after application and verification of proper fit.
35.Q: Why is double-locking important? A: It prevents further tightening
of handcuffs which could cause injury.
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
200 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What does PPCT stand for? A: Pressure Point Control Tactics.
2. Q: Who developed the original PPCT Management System? A: Bruce
Siddle.
3. Q: What is the primary goal of PPCT? A: To provide officers with a
humane and effective system to control resistant subjects while
minimising the potential for injury.
4. Q: What are the three main components of the PPCT system? A:
Pressure point techniques, joint manipulation, and defensive
counterstrikes.
5. Q: What nervous system does PPCT primarily target? A: The
sympathetic nervous system.
6. Q: What is the definition of "reasonable force"? A: Force that is
objectively reasonable based on the totality of circumstances known to
the officer at the time.
7. Q: What is the basis for use of force decisions according to PPCT? A:
Subject behavior and officer perception of threat.
8. Q: What is the primary difference between pain compliance and
motor dysfunction techniques? A: Pain compliance relies on the subject
feeling pain and choosing to comply, while motor dysfunction physically
prevents movement regardless of pain tolerance.
9. Q: What is the "golden rule" of physical control? A: Control from the
ground up - establish a stable base before attempting control techniques.
, 10.Q: What is the PPCT Survival Stress Model? A: A model explaining
how stress affects performance, with four phases: alarm, resistance,
exhaustion, and recovery.
Use of Force and Legal Considerations
11.Q: What Supreme Court case established the "objective
reasonableness" standard for use of force? A: Graham v. Connor
(1989).
12.Q: What are the three factors outlined in Graham v. Connor? A: The
severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and
whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest.
13.Q: What is the key determining factor in whether force is excessive?
A: Whether it was objectively reasonable under the circumstances.
14.Q: What is the definition of "deadly force"? A: Force that creates a
substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury.
15.Q: What is the PPCT Use of Force Continuum? A: A model that
correlates subject behaviors with appropriate officer responses.
16.Q: What is "officer presence" in the Use of Force Continuum? A:
The lowest level of force, where the mere presence of an officer can gain
compliance.
17.Q: What is the highest level of the Use of Force Continuum? A:
Deadly force.
18.Q: What is the "Tennessee v. Garner" case about? A: It established
that using deadly force to stop a fleeing suspect is only justified if the
officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat
of death or serious injury.
19.Q: What is the "totality of circumstances" principle? A: It requires
considering all facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time
force was used.
20.Q: When is an officer justified in using PPCT control techniques? A:
When facing active resistance or active aggression from a subject.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
21.Q: What are pressure points? A: Anatomical locations where nerves
are close to the surface and can be manipulated to create pain or motor
dysfunction.
, 22.Q: What nerve plexus is targeted in the brachial stun? A: The brachial
plexus.
23.Q: What is the mandibular angle pressure point? A: The pressure
point located at the angle of the jawbone.
24.Q: Where is the infraorbital pressure point located? A: Below the eye
on the cheekbone.
25.Q: What is the primary effect of striking the common peroneal
nerve? A: Temporary motor dysfunction of the leg.
26.Q: What is an anatomical consideration when applying the carotid
restraint? A: To avoid pressure on the trachea (windpipe) and focus
pressure on the sides of the neck.
27.Q: What are the symptoms of positional asphyxia? A: Difficulty
breathing, panic, respiratory arrest potentially leading to death.
28.Q: What is "excited delirium"? A: A medical emergency characterized
by agitation, aggression, acute distress, and sudden death, often
associated with drug use.
29.Q: What is "defensive resistance"? A: When a subject pulls away or
shields themselves without attempting to harm the officer.
30.Q: What type of pain is produced by pressure point control
techniques? A: Transient pain that doesn't cause injury when properly
applied.
Tactical Handcuffing
31.Q: What is the primary purpose of handcuffing? A: To safely and
temporarily restrain a person's movements.
32.Q: What is the proper position for handcuffing a compliant subject?
A: Standing with their back to the officer, feet spread, and hands behind
their back.
33.Q: What is the recommended distance between an officer and subject
during handcuffing? A: Approximately 3-4 feet (reactionary gap).
34.Q: When should double-locking of handcuffs occur? A: As soon as
practical after application and verification of proper fit.
35.Q: Why is double-locking important? A: It prevents further tightening
of handcuffs which could cause injury.
