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