Which term describes the policy allowing deadly force to apprehend a fleeing felon, historically before the 1960s?

• A. Fleeing felon doctrine
• B. Defense of life standard
• C. Ambiguous
• D. Discretion

Answer: (A)

The fleeing felon doctrine describes the old policy that allowed deadly force to stop and capture a fleeing suspect who had committed a serious crime, even if the suspect did not pose an immediate threat at that moment. Historically, many police practices treated escape itself as a justification for using lethal means because the felon’s removal from the streets was considered essential to prosecution and public safety. This approach originates in English common law and persisted in American policing through much of the early to mid-20th century, including the era before the 1960s. It drew criticism for enabling excessive force and for prioritizing capture over immediate danger to officers or others. Over time, legal standards moved away from this, culminating in later decisions that require a demonstrated imminent threat to justify deadly force. In contrast, the term defense of life standard refers to the modern requirement that deadly force be used only to defend lives, while discretion and ambigu ity are not the terms describing this historical policy.