To stop the threat, which force option is appropriate?

• A. Non-lethal force
• B. Physical restraint
• C. Verbal command
• D. Deadly force

Answer: (D)

When there is an immediate danger to life or serious bodily harm, the force option used to stop the threat is deadly force. This is the highest level of force in the continuum and is justified only when there is an imminent threat that cannot be safely resolved by safer, non-deadly means. Verbal commands or attempts at restraint are valuable when time and safety permit, and non-lethal methods can be effective to gain control, but they may not stop a lethal threat quickly enough. Deadly force is considered necessary to protect life when lesser options would be insufficient to halt the threat, with careful attention to necessity and proportionality to the situation.