When is deadly force legally permissible?

• A. Force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm; permissible only to prevent imminent threat of death or serious harm.
• B. Force used to apprehend a nonviolent suspect.
• C. Force used only after notifying a supervisor.
• D. Force that is likely to cause pain but not injury.

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is the trigger for using deadly force: it is legally permissible only when there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to you or others. In that split second, the officer may use the amount of force that is reasonably necessary to stop the threat, and only as a last resort after considering other options. This standard focuses on protecting life in the moment, not on arresting a nonviolent suspect or following a policy of notifying a supervisor first. It also isn’t defined as driving force that simply causes pain without causing injury. So, the legal justification hinges on an immediate danger to life, not on administrative steps or non-injury-focused aims.