A police officer is justified in drawing his/her weapon when what occurs?

A police officer is justified in drawing their weapon when there is a threat of deadly force. This is grounded in the principle that an officer's primary duty is to ensure their safety and the safety of others. When faced with a situation where an individual is armed or showing intent to cause serious harm, the officer must be prepared to respond to that imminent danger. This readiness to use lethal force is essential in protecting both the officer and the community from serious injury or death.

The justification for drawing a weapon based on the threat of deadly force is dictated by both legal standards and departmental policies, which emphasize the necessity of responding appropriately to an immediate threat to life. In scenarios not involving a direct threat, such as a suspect fleeing or being non-compliant, the response may involve different tactics that do not require the use of lethal force. Therefore, the clear presence of a threat to life is the key factor that legitimizes the drawing of a weapon.