Use of Force and Defensive Tactics
Core concepts
Alaska use-of-force law is governed by AS 11.81.370 (use of force by public officers) and the constitutional standard from Graham v. Connor: objective reasonableness judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, considering the severity of the crime, the immediate threat, and active resistance or flight. Candidates must understand the force continuum concept - presence, verbal, soft empty hand, hard empty hand, intermediate weapons, deadly force - while recognizing it is a framework, not a rigid ladder. Know the legal definition of deadly force, the duty to intervene when a fellow officer uses excessive force, and the duty to render aid after force is used. Defensive tactics topics include handcuffing, takedowns, baton use, OC spray, and the post-force medical and documentation requirements.
Traps
Questions often test whether force was proportional, not whether it was the minimum possible. Another trap: assuming deadly force is justified merely because a suspect flees; Tennessee v. Garner limits deadly force against fleeing suspects to those posing a significant threat of death or serious injury. Watch for questions about handcuffing after compliance - continued force on a compliant subject can be excessive.
Rule of thumb
Totality of the circumstances, judged objectively, at the moment force was used. Document the facts the officer knew, not conclusions.
Worked example
A subject advances with a knife at close range. Deadly force may be justified because of the immediate threat of serious injury. If the subject drops the weapon and complies, force must stop and aid must be rendered.