For which of the following scenarios can police officers use deadly force?

Police officers are authorized to use deadly force under specific circumstances where there is a significant threat to life or serious injury. The correct scenario for using deadly force is when there is a substantial risk of serious injury or death if apprehension is delayed. This principle is rooted in the necessity of protecting not only the lives of officers but also those of innocent bystanders and potential victims.

In situations where a suspect poses an imminent threat of serious harm to others or to the officers themselves, the urgency to act can justify the use of deadly force. This is often governed by the "reasonable officer" standard, which considers whether a typical officer, faced with similar circumstances, would believe that using deadly force was necessary to prevent significant harm.

Therefore, the focus on the substantial risk emphasizes the importance of an immediate threat rather than the mere presence of a weapon or the mere feeling of personal threat, which might not automatically justify such extreme measures. This approach helps ensure that deadly force is a last resort, utilized only when absolutely necessary to protect lives.