What did the common law fleeing felon doctrine allow law enforcement officers to do?

• A. Detain until backup arrives
• B. Seek arrest warrant first
• C. Use non-lethal takedown
• D. Use deadly force against any fleeing felony subject

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is that, under the traditional fleeing felon rule, officers were authorized to use deadly force to stop and capture a felon who was fleeing. The doctrine rests on the premise that allowing a felon to escape could jeopardize public safety and thwart justice, so lethal force could be employed if needed to prevent the escape. That makes the choice describing using deadly force against any fleeing felony subject the best fit, because it captures the authorized level of force in that situation. The other options describe procedures or non-lethal methods, which are not what the fleeing felon rule establishes; the doctrine is about the amount of force used, not the steps to take or the kinds of peaceful takedowns.