Use of Force

Posted by Mostly Genius – March 20, 2009

Use of Force Spectrum

The use of force chart is useful for private citizens to understand how the police (and the courts) tend to view a particular tool or technique. I make a lot of references to the use of force and forgot I hadn’t posted this graphic. There are a few inconsistencies: the order of pepper spray, taser, and arrest control/pain compliance techniques tends to vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. An individual police departments use of force policy will dictate where these items actually fall on “their” version of the chart.

  • I don't know that I would say that the LEO has categorically "less" liability for using force. The procedures are certainly different, but a LEO that disregards department policy for his use of force is facing a lot of trouble.

  • Windy Wilson

    Looking at this graph, something pops out that the GFW gun banners overlook. At any given level of force, the liability for a LEO falls to the left of the liability for a private citizen. This is why there has been no blood in the streets as is perennially threatened by the GFWs.

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