What must be present for a peace officer to lawfully employ deadly force?

For a peace officer to lawfully employ deadly force, the key factor is having a reasonable belief in imminent danger. This means that the officer must perceive an immediate threat to their life or the life of another person. The law recognizes that peace officers are often placed in high-stress and dangerous situations, where quick decisions are necessary. The standard of "reasonable belief" is crucial, as it reflects the perspective of a reasonable officer in the same circumstance, rather than a potential hindsight judgment of the situation.

This standard ensures that the use of deadly force is only justified when there is a genuine and immediate risk, allowing peace officers to protect themselves and others when faced with imminent harm.

The requirement for clear evidence of a crime is not sufficient to justify deadly force; the focus must be on the threat level at the moment. Similarly, while prior warning might be desirable in certain situations, it is not a legal requirement for the use of deadly force, especially if doing so would compromise safety. Lastly, written authorization from the department does not override the necessity of immediate peril; officers must act on their reasonable assessment of danger even without pre-existing authorization.