When considering the use of deadly force, which three factors should an officer evaluate?

The correct choice emphasizes critical concepts within the use of deadly force framework: opportunity, ability, and jeopardy.

Opportunity refers to the immediacy and access that a threat has to cause harm. This involves assessing whether the potential assailant has the means to carry out an attack at that moment.

Ability entails understanding whether the individual poses a genuine threat based on their capacity to inflict serious harm. For example, does the person have a weapon, or are they physically imposing enough to pose a significant risk of injury or death?

Jeopardy encompasses the perceived threat level. It is a determination that the officer must make regarding whether the threat is indeed imminent and whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that the officer or others are at risk of death or serious injury.

Together, these three factors create a framework for officers in high-pressure situations when evaluating the need to use deadly force. Each element ensures that the officer is acting within the boundaries of legal and ethical standards while prioritizing safety.

The other options, while they contain elements that are relevant in other contexts or discussions around officer safety and engagement, do not holistically cover the key aspects necessary for understanding when the use of deadly force is justified.