Under what condition is deadly force justified?

Deadly force is justified when lesser means have failed or are not viable. This standard is rooted in the principle of proportionality, which dictates that law enforcement officers must first attempt to use non-lethal methods to resolve a situation before resorting to deadly force. Officers are trained to assess the dynamics of a threatening encounter and to explore all possible alternatives to de-escalate the situation.

Using deadly force should be a last resort, employed only when the imminent threat to the officer or others is substantial and there are no feasible alternatives available that would ensure safety. In this context, the emphasis is on the necessity of exhausting lesser means or determining their impracticality before escalating to lethal measures.

In circumstances involving threats to property or when pursuing a fleeing suspect, the use of deadly force is not typically warranted unless it is accompanied by an immediate threat to life or severe injury.