In situations involving deadly force, the officer must ensure:

The requirement that deadly force must be necessary and permitted underscores the legal and ethical standards that law enforcement officers must adhere to in critical situations. Officers are trained to assess threats based on the reasonable perception of imminent harm to themselves or others. The use of deadly force is a last resort, employed only when there are no other viable options to protect life.

This option emphasizes the importance of proportionality and necessity when deciding to use force. Officers must ensure that their actions adhere to both law enforcement policies and legal standards, which dictate that deadly force can only be justified under specific circumstances, such as when facing an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm. This principle serves to protect the rights of individuals and ensures accountability within law enforcement practices, highlighting the gravity of using deadly force and the necessity for a well-founded justification.

Other options may address various aspects of emergency response and public perception, but they do not capture the critical legal imperatives governing the use of deadly force in law enforcement. Therefore, focusing on the necessity and legality of the force used is paramount in these situations.