GPSTC USE of Force 2021 Questions With
Complete Solutions
Terry v. Ohio The Supreme court authorized the stop and frisk of an individual based on
reasonable suspicion. A standard not amounting to probable cause but requiring some degree of
protection under the 4th Amendment.
Tier III Encounter Full Scale Arrest
Arrest based on probable cause
Probable Cause facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable officer to believe
that a crime is being or has been committed.
Objective Reasonableness Whether the officer is reasonable or not is based upon the
totality of the circumstances (the whole picture) known to the officer at the moment the force
was used.
Graham Factors Severity of the offense
Immediate threat to the safety of officer or others
Actively Resisting arrest
, GPSTC USE of Force 2021 Questions With
Complete Solutions
Evading arrest by flight
objective factors Number of suspects v. number of officers
Size, age, condition of suspect and officer
Duration of the action
Known previous psychiatric history of the suspect
Tennessee V. Garner 1985 1. The use of force is necessary to prevent the felon's escape
2. The fleeing felon has threatened the officer with a weapon, or the officer has probable cause to
believe that the felon has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of
serious bodily harm, AND
3. The officer gives the felon some warning of the imminent use of deadly force - if feasible.
Conclusions are left to the interpretation of the listener/reader.
Facts deliver the officer's perspective without the need for interpretation.
Complete Solutions
Terry v. Ohio The Supreme court authorized the stop and frisk of an individual based on
reasonable suspicion. A standard not amounting to probable cause but requiring some degree of
protection under the 4th Amendment.
Tier III Encounter Full Scale Arrest
Arrest based on probable cause
Probable Cause facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable officer to believe
that a crime is being or has been committed.
Objective Reasonableness Whether the officer is reasonable or not is based upon the
totality of the circumstances (the whole picture) known to the officer at the moment the force
was used.
Graham Factors Severity of the offense
Immediate threat to the safety of officer or others
Actively Resisting arrest
, GPSTC USE of Force 2021 Questions With
Complete Solutions
Evading arrest by flight
objective factors Number of suspects v. number of officers
Size, age, condition of suspect and officer
Duration of the action
Known previous psychiatric history of the suspect
Tennessee V. Garner 1985 1. The use of force is necessary to prevent the felon's escape
2. The fleeing felon has threatened the officer with a weapon, or the officer has probable cause to
believe that the felon has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of
serious bodily harm, AND
3. The officer gives the felon some warning of the imminent use of deadly force - if feasible.
Conclusions are left to the interpretation of the listener/reader.
Facts deliver the officer's perspective without the need for interpretation.
