When is deadly force justified?

• A. Non-violent resistance by a suspect.
• B. Defensive display only.
• C. Threats of serious bodily harm.
• D. Duty weapon; threats of serious bodily harm.

Answer: (D)

Deadly force is justified only when there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to you or others, and there is no reasonable alternative to stop that threat. The action must be carried with the appropriate instrument for such force—the duty weapon carried by the officer. This combination is what makes this option the correct description: an imminent, credible danger that requires the use of the firearm to prevent serious harm.

Non-violent resistance and defensive display don’t meet the threshold because they don’t involve an imminent lethal danger or the use of a firearm to stop it. Merely threats of serious bodily harm aren’t enough unless there is an immediate, actionable danger with a means to cause harm, which deadly force is intended to meet. For example, if a suspect is actively about to fire on someone, responding with the duty weapon to stop the imminent threat aligns with the justified use of deadly force.