Under what circumstances may a police officer use deadly force to protect themselves or another individual?

The correct answer highlights the necessity for a police officer to articulate a specific threat before using deadly force. This principle aligns with the legal standards governing the use of force in law enforcement. Specifically, officers must be able to explain, based on objective facts and circumstances, why they perceived a threat to themselves or others that justified the use of deadly force. This ensures that the decision to employ such a drastic measure is grounded in reality and not merely in subjective feelings or fears.

Articulating a specific threat means that officers should be able to point to clear, observable behaviors or evidence that support their claim of an imminent danger. This requirement helps protect both the rights of individuals and the integrity of law enforcement actions. Choices that refer to feelings of fear or situations without specific articulable threats do not meet the standard needed for justifying the use of deadly force, which must be a response to a defined risk to life.