Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

According to Florida law, what is considered any force that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm?

1. Excessive force

2. Deadly force

3. Unreasonable force

4. Force

The correct answer is: Deadly force

The term that is properly defined as any force likely to cause death or great bodily harm is deadly force. In the context of law enforcement and self-defense, deadly force refers specifically to actions taken that are intended to cause serious injury or the potential loss of life. The use of deadly force is often regulated by strict guidelines and is only justified in specific situations, such as when an officer's or an individual's life is in imminent danger. In contrast, excessive force refers to a level of force that exceeds what is necessary to handle a situation, but does not necessarily imply that the force will cause death or great bodily harm. Unreasonable force implies that the action taken is not justifiable based on the circumstances, but again does not specifically denote the potential for death or severe injury. Lastly, the term "force" on its own is too broad and does not capture the critical aspect of the potential for causing significant harm as outlined in the definition of deadly force. Understanding these distinctions is essential for law enforcement officers to make informed decisions in the field regarding the use of force.