Under what circumstances is the use of deadly force considered justified?

The justification for the use of deadly force is centered around the concept of imminent threats. When an officer is faced with a situation where there is a clear, immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others, the use of deadly force may be deemed necessary and justified. This standard is rooted in the necessity to protect life and prevent irreversible harm.

In assessing situations where deadly force may be considered, the focus is on the immediacy of the threat. The law typically allows officers to act in defense of themselves or others when faced with credible and imminent danger. This means the threat must be present at that moment, leaving no reasonable alternative to prevent significant harm from occurring. In contrast, mere feelings of being threatened or concerns about property damage do not meet this stringent legal threshold for the use of deadly force.