Excessive Force and Use of Force Continum
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Transcript Excessive Force and Use of Force Continum
By: Chris
Crimea and Justice Policy, CCJS 201
Excessive Force
A law enforcement officer has
the right to use such force as is
reasonably necessary under
the circumstances to make a
lawful arrest
Whether force is reasonably
necessary or excessive is
measured by the force a
reasonable and prudent law
enforcement officer would use
under the circumstances.
Rodney King
LA police beat King until he was on the ground and
then continued to beat him for over a minute using
batons all over his body
Three of the officers were later acquitted with the
jurors disagreeing about one
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1344797n
Use of Force Continuum
Policies that describe an
escalating series of actions an
officer may take to resolve a
situation
Usually has about 5 levels
and officers are instructed to
respond with a level of force
appropriate to the situation
at hand, acknowledging that
the officer may move from
one part of the continuum to
another in a matter of
seconds.
The 5 Steps
Officer Presence- no force used, often best way to resolve
a situation
Verbalization- force is not physical
Empty Hand Control- using bodily force to gain control of
situation
Less lethal methods- less lethal technologies to gain
control (batons, pepper-spray, tasers)
Lethal force- use of lethal weapons, used only if suspect is
serious threat to officer or others (firearms, etc…)
References
"Legal Definition of 'Excessive Force'." The 'Lectric
Law Library's Entrance & Welcome.
http://www.lectlaw.com/def/e055.htm (accessed May
10, 2011).
"The Use-of-Force Continuum | National Institute of
Justice." National Institute of Justice: Criminal Justice
Research, Development and Evaluation.
http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/officersafety/use-of-force/continuum.htm (accessed May 11,
2011).
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1344797n