North Carolina Correctional Officer State Practice Exam

What is the degree of force an officer is authorized to use?

1. Only deadly force

2. Whatever degree necessary to prevent escape

3. Only physical restraint techniques

4. Force must always be minimal

The correct answer is: Whatever degree necessary to prevent escape

The degree of force an officer is authorized to use is determined by the necessity of the situation encountered. When an officer is faced with a scenario where there is a risk of escape or a threat to safety, the officer may employ whatever degree of force is required to prevent that escape, which may include a range of options from verbal commands to physical restraint techniques and, in extreme situations, possibly lethal force if there is an immediate threat to life. This principle is grounded in the legal and ethical standards that govern law enforcement practices, where the use of force must be proportional to the threat faced and aimed at ensuring safety and control. In contrast, the choices focused solely on deadly force or physical restraint techniques do not account for the full scope of an officer's response capabilities based on varying circumstances. Moreover, the notion that force must always be minimal does not align with the necessity for an appropriate and justified response to immediate and tangible threats to the security of oneself, others, or the institution as a whole. Therefore, the correct understanding emphasizes the flexibility and appropriateness of force based on situational demands.