Use of Force Continuum Flashcards

When a subject displays passive resistance by sitting down and refusing to move, which level of force is typically appropriate?

Answer: Soft empty-hand control

Passive resistance calls for soft empty-hand control techniques such as guiding or escorting, not aggressive or weapons-based responses.

An officer switches from verbal commands to drawing a firearm without any intermediate steps. This is best described as:

Answer: Skipping levels of the continuum

Jumping from verbal commands directly to deadly force without intermediate steps violates the principle of proportional escalation.

Which factor most directly justifies moving to a higher level of force?

Answer: The subject's increased threat level

Escalation within the use-of-force continuum is driven by an increase in the subject's threat or resistance level.

A subject verbally threatens an officer but has made no physical movement. The officer should first:

Answer: Issue verbal commands and assess

A verbal threat alone typically warrants heightened awareness and verbal commands before escalating to physical or weapon-based force.

The 'objectively reasonable' standard for use of force in the U.S. comes from which Supreme Court case?

Answer: Graham v. Connor

Graham v. Connor (1989) established that force must be objectively reasonable based on the facts known at the moment, not judged with 20/20 hindsight.

After a subject stops resisting, the security officer should:

Answer: De-escalate and reassess the threat

When resistance ceases, the officer must de-escalate proportionally; continuing force after compliance may constitute excessive force.

Which term describes the practice of communicating expectations clearly to gain voluntary compliance before physical intervention?

Answer: Officer presence plus verbalization

Officer presence combined with clear verbal commands is the standard first step in the use-of-force continuum to gain compliance without physical contact.