What are the three critical components of deadly force?

The correct answer highlights the three critical components that must be established to justify the use of deadly force in a law enforcement context: Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy.

Ability refers to the capacity of an individual to cause death or serious bodily harm. This could involve the possession of a weapon, physical strength, or other means that make a threat credible.

Opportunity is about whether the individual has the chance to use that ability to inflict harm. Even if someone has the ability to cause harm, they cannot pose a genuine threat if they are too far away or otherwise unable to execute their intent.

Jeopardy is the concept that there needs to be an immediate threat to life or serious injury. It’s not enough for there to simply be a potential threat; there must be clear evidence that the officer or another individual is in imminent danger.

Together, these components form a framework for understanding when the use of deadly force may be necessary and justified in the line of duty, adhering to the principles of proportional response in self-defense or defense of others.