Criminal Justice- Use Of Force

What is the use of force continuum? The use of force continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officers and civilians with guidelines as to how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation.

FIVE LEVELS OF THE USE OF FORCE CONTINUUM

1. OFFICER’S PRESENCE

2. VERBAL COMMANDS

3. . HAND CONTROLS

4. LESS THAN LETHAL

5. DEADLY FORCE

PRESENCE

•the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing.

VERBAL COMMANDS

•VOICED COMMANDS

•STOP RESISTING

•STOP

•GET ON THE GROUND

•PUT YOUR HANDS UP

•LEAVE THE AREA NOW

•CLEAR AND CONCISE

HAND CONTROLS

•SOFT HAND CONTROLS (COME ALONGS)

•TAKEDOWNS

•ARM BARS

•APPROVED PAIN COMPLIANCE TECHNIQUES

LESS THAN LETHAL

•BATON

•PEPPER SPRAY

•TASER

•BEAN BAG

•OTHER APPROVED WEAPONS

DEADLY FORCE

HOW MANY ROUNDS/BULLETS TO USE?- SHOOT TO STOP THE AGGRESSION

WHAT PART OF THE BODY SHOULD THE POLICE AIM FOR AND SHOOT? -CENTER MASS vs ARM AND LEG SHOTS

DE-ESCALATION-

is a human behavior that is intended to prevent escalation of conflicts. It may also refer to approaches in conflict resolution. People may become committed to behaviors that tend to escalate conflict, so specific measures must be taken to avoid such escalation.

Deadly Force-

Must have all four elements when using deadly force.

1. Ability-does the person have the ability/means to administer deadly force?

2. Opportunity-does the situation provide someone favorable circumstances to use of deadly force?

3. Preclusion-taking action to prevent something from happening.

4. Imminent-it’s going to happen right NOW. Something must be done NOW!