Missouri POST Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

In Missouri, the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers is governed by both state law and established police practices. The correct answer is based on the legal justification provided for officers to use deadly force in relation to a suspect who is defined as a fleeing felon.

In situations where a suspect is believed to have committed a violent felony and is attempting to flee, officers may be authorized to use deadly force to apprehend the individual, particularly if there is a belief that the individual poses an immediate threat to the safety of others or presents a significant risk of serious injury or death. This rationale is grounded in the necessity to protect the public and neutralize any potential dangers posed by the suspect.

The other scenarios do not meet the necessary legal standards for justifying deadly force. Uncooperative behavior or feeling threatened, while potentially escalating a situation, does not automatically allow the use of deadly force unless there is a clear and present danger to life. Additionally, just acting on instructions from a superior officer does not provide a legal basis for the use of deadly force; officers must still adhere to the legal justifications established in law for their actions, independent of directives they receive.