Use of force continuum
A use of force continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officials & security officers (such as police officers, probation officers, 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.[1]
The first examples of use of force continua were developed in the 1980s and early 1990s.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
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[edit] Example model
While the specific progression of force varies considerably (especially the wide gap between empty hand control and deadly force) among different agencies and jurisdictions, one of the more general models cited in a U.S. government publication on use of force is shown below.[5]
1) Physical presence
2) Verbal commands
3) Empty-hand submission techniques
4) Intermediate Weapons e.g. closed-fist punches, kicks, baton, pepper spray, Taser, beanbag rounds and etc.
5) Lethal force.
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Garner, Joel H.; Maxwell, Christopher D.. "Measuring the Amount of Force Used By and Against the Police in Six Jurisdictions" (PDF). National Institute of Justice. http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/176330-2.pdf#search=%22use%20of%20force%20continuum%22. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- Grossi, Mark (June 2, 2006). "Setting the record straight on force continuums". The Police Marksman Magazine. http://www.policeone.com/writers/columnists/marksman/articles/123080/. Retrieved 2006-11-25.
- Stetser, Merle (2001). The Use of Force in Police Control of Violence: Incidents Resulting in Assaults on Officers. New York: LFB Scholarly Publishing L.L.C.. ISBN 1-931202-08-7.
[edit] External links
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