Use of force continuum
Encyclopedia
A use of force continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officials & security officers (such as police officer
s, probation officer
s, or corrections officers) with guidelines as to how much force
may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. In certain ways it is similar to the military rules of engagement
. The purpose of these models is to clarify, both for officers and citizens, the complex subject of use of force by law officers. They are often central parts of law enforcement agencies' use of force policies. Although various criminal justice
agencies have developed different models of the continuum, there is no universal standard model.
The first examples of use of force continua were developed in the 1980s and early 1990s. Early models were depicted in various formats, including graphs
, semicircular "gauges
", and linear progressions. Most often the models are presented in "stair step" fashion, with each level of force matched by a corresponding level of subject resistance, although it is generally noted that an officer need not progress through each level before reaching the final level of force. These progressions rest on the premise that officers should escalate and de-escalate their level of force in response to the subject's actions.
Although the use of force continuum is used primarily as a training tool for law officers, it is also valuable with civilians, such as in criminal trials
or hearings
by police review boards. In particular, a graphical
representation of a use of force continuum is useful to a jury
when deciding whether an officer's use of force was reasonable.
government publication on use of force. It lists multiple tactics that police has used, in order from least to most severe, but is only a partial model, as it does not give corresponding degrees of subject resistance.
It can also be broken down into the recommended standard police use of force continuum:
1. Physical Presence
2. Soft Hands
3. Mace or Pepper Spray
(A K-9 unit would fall here)
4. Hard Hands
5. Police Baton, Taser, etc.
6. Threat of Deadly Force
7. Deadly Force
It can also be broken down into the actually-used standard police use of force continuum:
1. Physical Presence
2. Soft Hands
3. Mace or Pepper Spray, Taser, K-9, or baton
4. Hard Hands
5. Threat of Deadly Force
6. Deadly Force
In the Australian security industry, the accepted 'force continuum' taught is:
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
s, probation officer
Probation officer
Parole officers and probation officers play a role in criminal justice systems by supervising offenders released from incarceration or sentenced to non-custodial sanctions such as community service...
s, or corrections officers) with guidelines as to how much force
Use of force
The term use of force describes a right of an individual or authority to settle conflicts or prevent certain actions by applying measures to either: a) dissuade another party from a particular course of action, or b) physically intervene to stop them...
may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. In certain ways it is similar to the military rules of engagement
Rules of engagement
Rules of Engagement refers to those responses that are permitted in the employment of military personnel during operations or in the course of their duties. These rules of engagement are determined by the legal framework within which these duties are being carried out...
. The purpose of these models is to clarify, both for officers and citizens, the complex subject of use of force by law officers. They are often central parts of law enforcement agencies' use of force policies. Although various criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
agencies have developed different models of the continuum, there is no universal standard model.
The first examples of use of force continua were developed in the 1980s and early 1990s. Early models were depicted in various formats, including graphs
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
, semicircular "gauges
Gauge (engineering)
In engineering, a gauge or gage, is used to make measurements. A wide variety of tools exist which serve such funtions, ranging from simple pieces of material against which sizes can be measured to complex pieces of machinery...
", and linear progressions. Most often the models are presented in "stair step" fashion, with each level of force matched by a corresponding level of subject resistance, although it is generally noted that an officer need not progress through each level before reaching the final level of force. These progressions rest on the premise that officers should escalate and de-escalate their level of force in response to the subject's actions.
Although the use of force continuum is used primarily as a training tool for law officers, it is also valuable with civilians, such as in criminal trials
Criminal procedure
Criminal procedure refers to the legal process for adjudicating claims that someone has violated criminal law.-Basic rights:Currently, in many countries with a democratic system and the rule of law, criminal procedure puts the burden of proof on the prosecution – that is, it is up to the...
or hearings
Hearing (law)
In law, a hearing is a proceeding before a court or other decision-making body or officer, such as a government agency.A hearing is generally distinguished from a trial in that it is usually shorter and often less formal...
by police review boards. In particular, a graphical
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
representation of a use of force continuum is useful to a jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
when deciding whether an officer's use of force was reasonable.
Example model
This model is adapted from a United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government publication on use of force. It lists multiple tactics that police has used, in order from least to most severe, but is only a partial model, as it does not give corresponding degrees of subject resistance.
- Verbal command
- Handcuff suspect
- Use wrist/arm lock
- Use takedown
- Block/punch/kick
- Strike suspect
- Wrestle suspect
- Pepper spray
- Use baton
- Use firearm
It can also be broken down into the recommended standard police use of force continuum:
1. Physical Presence
2. Soft Hands
3. Mace or Pepper Spray
(A K-9 unit would fall here)
4. Hard Hands
5. Police Baton, Taser, etc.
6. Threat of Deadly Force
7. Deadly Force
It can also be broken down into the actually-used standard police use of force continuum:
1. Physical Presence
2. Soft Hands
3. Mace or Pepper Spray, Taser, K-9, or baton
4. Hard Hands
5. Threat of Deadly Force
6. Deadly Force
In the Australian security industry, the accepted 'force continuum' taught is:
- Presence of the security officer
- Verbal commands
- Touching or Seizing the offender
- Weaponless Defensive Tactics
- Impact Defensive Weapons (i.e. Batons, etc...)
- Potentially Lethal Force