Which of the following options represents an example of "deadly force"?

Discharging a firearm is considered an example of "deadly force" because it has the potential to cause serious bodily harm or death. Firearms are designed to be lethal weapons, and their use in a law enforcement context is typically reserved for situations where there is an imminent threat to life or serious injury to the officer or others.

In contrast, the use of a baton, handcuffing a suspect, and employing verbal commands do not inherently carry the same level of risk associated with causing death or serious bodily injury. A baton can be used in non-lethal ways to assist in subduing a suspect, handcuffing is a method of restraint meant to control a situation without injury, and verbal commands are utilized to manage incidents in a non-violent manner. These alternatives focus on control and de-escalation rather than inflicting harm, which is why they do not meet the criteria for deadly force.