According to the Texas Penal Code, is it permissible for a peace officer to use deadly force against a fleeing felon if the felon is not considered dangerous?

The correct answer is that it is not permissible for a peace officer to use deadly force against a fleeing felon who is not considered dangerous. Under the Texas Penal Code, the use of deadly force is strictly regulated and is generally only justified when an officer believes that such force is immediately necessary to protect themselves or others from imminent harm.

In the context of a fleeing felon, if the individual is not posing an immediate threat to the officer or the public, the justification for using deadly force diminishes significantly. The law emphasizes the importance of assessing the level of threat posed by the felon before resorting to lethal measures. Therefore, if the felon is deemed not dangerous, using deadly force would not align with the legal standards set out in the Penal Code.

Options suggesting that it is permissible under certain conditions do not reflect the legal principle that deadly force should only be used in the presence of an immediate threat to safety. Therefore, this reinforces the principle that law enforcement should prioritize de-escalation and non-lethal means when possible, especially when confronting individuals who do not pose a threat at that moment.