Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Phase 2 Examination Actual Exam Newest With
Complete Questions And Correct Detailed Answers| Brand New Version!
Question 1
Under Maine law, how is "non-deadly force" legally defined?
A) Force that does not cause any physical pain
B) Any physical force that is not intended to cause death
C) Any physical force that is not deadly force
D) Force used only with a department-issued tool
E) Force that results only in minor bruising
Correct Answer: C) Any physical force that is not deadly force
Rationale: Statutory definitions in Maine (Title 17-A) establish a binary: force is either
deadly or non-deadly. Therefore, non-deadly force is defined by what it is not—it
encompasses all physical applications of power that do not meet the legal threshold of
deadly force.
Question 2
Which of the following is included in the statutory definition of "deadly force"?
A) The discharge of a firearm in the direction of another person
B) Force that a person uses with the intent of causing serious bodily injury
C) Force that a person uses which they know creates a substantial risk of death
D) The discharge of a firearm at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be
E) All of the above
Correct Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: Deadly force is not limited to killing; it includes any force intended to cause, or
known to create a substantial risk of, death or serious bodily injury. Discharging a firearm
toward people is automatically categorized as deadly force regardless of whether a hit is
made.
Question 3
Which of the following situational use of force options is NOT appropriate for a scenario
requiring ONLY non-deadly force?
A) Chemical agents (OC spray)
B) Discharging a firearm
C) Electronic Disruption Devices (TASER)
D) Physical restraints and handcuffs
E) Pressure point compliance
Correct Answer: B) Discharging a firearm
Rationale: Discharging a firearm is the ultimate application of deadly force. In a situation
where only non-deadly force is justified (e.g., a resistive subject who is not posing a threat
of death or serious injury), using a firearm would be a violation of law and policy.
, 2
Question 4
The use of force (both deadly and non-deadly) by a law enforcement officer is primarily
governed by which Constitutional Amendment?
A) First Amendment
B) Second Amendment
C) Fourth Amendment
D) Fifth Amendment
E) Eighth Amendment
Correct Answer: C) Fourth Amendment
Rationale: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Graham v. Connor that all claims of excessive
force by law enforcement during an arrest or investigatory stop are analyzed under the
Fourth Amendment’s "objective reasonableness" standard, as use of force constitutes a
"seizure."
Question 5
According to Maine law, what level of certainty must an officer possess before employing deadly
force to counter a threat?
A) Reasonable articulable suspicion
B) A strong gut feeling
C) Probable cause
D) Reasonable and actual belief
E) Beyond a reasonable doubt
Correct Answer: D) Reasonable and actual belief
Rationale: The officer must subjectively believe the force is necessary (actual belief) and
that belief must be one that a reasonable officer in the same situation would hold
(reasonable belief) to justify the use of deadly force.
Question 6
When an individual's actions are categorized as "resistive," which situational use of force options
may an officer choose?
A) Verbal commands
B) Pain compliance techniques
C) Control/Restraint maneuvers
D) Use of aerosol irritants
E) All of the them
Correct Answer: E) All of them
Rationale: If a subject is resistive, the officer can escalate from verbal persuasion to physical
control and intermediate weapons to safely gain compliance. All listed options are standard
responses to resistance.
, 3
Question 7
If an individual's actions are "assaultive" or "high risk," which force options are available to the
officer?
A) Enhanced pain compliance
B) Impact weapons (baton)
C) Deadly force (if the assault is likely to cause death/SBI)
D) Tactical take-downs
E) All of them
Correct Answer: E) All of them
Rationale: Assaultive behavior represents a direct physical attack on the officer or others.
The officer is justified in using higher-level force options, including impact weapons and, if
the threat reaches the level of serious bodily injury or death, deadly force.
Question 8
Which of the following factors should NOT be considered by an officer when determining the
appropriate use of force?
A) The size and age of the subject
B) The presence of weapons
C) The race of the individual
D) The severity of the crime at issue
E) The environment and presence of bystanders
Correct Answer: C) The race of the individual
Rationale: Use of force must be based on the subject's actions, the perceived threat, and
situational factors. Race, gender, or religion are never legal or ethical justifications for
selecting a force option.
Question 9
In Maine, which of the following use of force situations is NOT required to be reported to the
Office of the Attorney General?
A) The use of physical force that causes serious bodily injury
B) The discharge of a firearm at a person
C) The pointing of a loaded and charged firearm at another person
D) The use of a vehicle to ram an occupied vehicle
E) Any use of force that results in death
Correct Answer: C) The pointing of a loaded and charged firearm at another person
Rationale: While departmental policy usually requires reporting the "pointing" of a
firearm, Maine state law specifically mandates reporting to the AG for the actual
application of force resulting in injury, the discharge of a weapon, or specific high-risk
vehicle maneuvers.
Complete Questions And Correct Detailed Answers| Brand New Version!
Question 1
Under Maine law, how is "non-deadly force" legally defined?
A) Force that does not cause any physical pain
B) Any physical force that is not intended to cause death
C) Any physical force that is not deadly force
D) Force used only with a department-issued tool
E) Force that results only in minor bruising
Correct Answer: C) Any physical force that is not deadly force
Rationale: Statutory definitions in Maine (Title 17-A) establish a binary: force is either
deadly or non-deadly. Therefore, non-deadly force is defined by what it is not—it
encompasses all physical applications of power that do not meet the legal threshold of
deadly force.
Question 2
Which of the following is included in the statutory definition of "deadly force"?
A) The discharge of a firearm in the direction of another person
B) Force that a person uses with the intent of causing serious bodily injury
C) Force that a person uses which they know creates a substantial risk of death
D) The discharge of a firearm at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be
E) All of the above
Correct Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: Deadly force is not limited to killing; it includes any force intended to cause, or
known to create a substantial risk of, death or serious bodily injury. Discharging a firearm
toward people is automatically categorized as deadly force regardless of whether a hit is
made.
Question 3
Which of the following situational use of force options is NOT appropriate for a scenario
requiring ONLY non-deadly force?
A) Chemical agents (OC spray)
B) Discharging a firearm
C) Electronic Disruption Devices (TASER)
D) Physical restraints and handcuffs
E) Pressure point compliance
Correct Answer: B) Discharging a firearm
Rationale: Discharging a firearm is the ultimate application of deadly force. In a situation
where only non-deadly force is justified (e.g., a resistive subject who is not posing a threat
of death or serious injury), using a firearm would be a violation of law and policy.
, 2
Question 4
The use of force (both deadly and non-deadly) by a law enforcement officer is primarily
governed by which Constitutional Amendment?
A) First Amendment
B) Second Amendment
C) Fourth Amendment
D) Fifth Amendment
E) Eighth Amendment
Correct Answer: C) Fourth Amendment
Rationale: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Graham v. Connor that all claims of excessive
force by law enforcement during an arrest or investigatory stop are analyzed under the
Fourth Amendment’s "objective reasonableness" standard, as use of force constitutes a
"seizure."
Question 5
According to Maine law, what level of certainty must an officer possess before employing deadly
force to counter a threat?
A) Reasonable articulable suspicion
B) A strong gut feeling
C) Probable cause
D) Reasonable and actual belief
E) Beyond a reasonable doubt
Correct Answer: D) Reasonable and actual belief
Rationale: The officer must subjectively believe the force is necessary (actual belief) and
that belief must be one that a reasonable officer in the same situation would hold
(reasonable belief) to justify the use of deadly force.
Question 6
When an individual's actions are categorized as "resistive," which situational use of force options
may an officer choose?
A) Verbal commands
B) Pain compliance techniques
C) Control/Restraint maneuvers
D) Use of aerosol irritants
E) All of the them
Correct Answer: E) All of them
Rationale: If a subject is resistive, the officer can escalate from verbal persuasion to physical
control and intermediate weapons to safely gain compliance. All listed options are standard
responses to resistance.
, 3
Question 7
If an individual's actions are "assaultive" or "high risk," which force options are available to the
officer?
A) Enhanced pain compliance
B) Impact weapons (baton)
C) Deadly force (if the assault is likely to cause death/SBI)
D) Tactical take-downs
E) All of them
Correct Answer: E) All of them
Rationale: Assaultive behavior represents a direct physical attack on the officer or others.
The officer is justified in using higher-level force options, including impact weapons and, if
the threat reaches the level of serious bodily injury or death, deadly force.
Question 8
Which of the following factors should NOT be considered by an officer when determining the
appropriate use of force?
A) The size and age of the subject
B) The presence of weapons
C) The race of the individual
D) The severity of the crime at issue
E) The environment and presence of bystanders
Correct Answer: C) The race of the individual
Rationale: Use of force must be based on the subject's actions, the perceived threat, and
situational factors. Race, gender, or religion are never legal or ethical justifications for
selecting a force option.
Question 9
In Maine, which of the following use of force situations is NOT required to be reported to the
Office of the Attorney General?
A) The use of physical force that causes serious bodily injury
B) The discharge of a firearm at a person
C) The pointing of a loaded and charged firearm at another person
D) The use of a vehicle to ram an occupied vehicle
E) Any use of force that results in death
Correct Answer: C) The pointing of a loaded and charged firearm at another person
Rationale: While departmental policy usually requires reporting the "pointing" of a
firearm, Maine state law specifically mandates reporting to the AG for the actual
application of force resulting in injury, the discharge of a weapon, or specific high-risk
vehicle maneuvers.
