What behavior justifies the use of deadly force by an officer?

The use of deadly force by an officer is justified when there is a clear and imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to the officer or others. This principle is grounded in the necessity of self-defense and the defense of others, which recognizes that law enforcement officials must protect themselves and the public from immediate dangers.

In situations where an individual is armed or behaving in a manner that poses an immediate threat of serious injury or fatality, officers are trained to respond with appropriate force to neutralize that threat. This standard is fundamental to the use of force continuum, where officers assess the situation and the level of force required to ensure safety.

Other behaviors, such as fleeing or disrespectfulness, do not meet the threshold required to justify such a severe response as deadly force, as they may not indicate an immediate risk to life. Emotional distress, while concerning, similarly does not equate to a direct threat of death or serious physical harm. Thus, the justification for deadly force is specifically tied to the presence of a clear threat to life or serious injury, which is encapsulated in the correct answer.