Deadly force is defined as force with the intent to cause what?

• A. Great bodily injury or death
• B. Minor injuries
• C. Verbal intimidation
• D. Property damage

Answer: (A)

Deadly force means using force with the intent to cause death or serious (great/major) bodily injury. The option that mentions death or great bodily injury matches this standard, since the key idea is harming someone to a degree that is life-threatening or capable of causing serious harm. Minor injuries, verbal intimidation, or property damage do not involve an intent to inflict death or serious bodily harm, so they do not fit the definition of deadly force. In real-world use-of-force policy, deadly force is reserved for situations where there is a real threat to life or to the potential for serious bodily harm.