What must be true for deadly physical force to be considered appropriate?

For deadly physical force to be considered appropriate, it must be deemed reasonable and necessary in the context of the situation. This means that the use of such force is justified only when there is an imminent threat to life, either to the officer or to someone else, and there are no other viable options to address the threat. The evaluation of what is reasonable takes into account the specifics of the scenario, including the level of threat faced, the actions of the suspect, and the totality of circumstances surrounding the incident.

This standard ensures that deadly force is not used indiscriminately and is reserved for the most critical situations where it is the only means available to prevent serious harm or death. The necessity of the force used must be balanced against the risk posed by the threat, reflecting the principle that law enforcement officers are trained to de-escalate situations whenever possible before resorting to lethal force.