There are five levels to the force continuum:
- Level 1 – Presence of a Law Enforcement Officer
- Level 2 – Verbal Response
- Level 3 – Empty Hand Techniques
- Level 4 – Non-Deadly Weaponry
- Level 5 – Lethal Force
What are the five levels of the force continuum?
There are five levels to the force continuum: 1 Level 1 – Presence of a Law Enforcement Officer 2 Level 2 – Verbal Response 3 Level 3 – Empty Hand Techniques 4 Level 4 – Non-Deadly Weaponry 5 Level 5 – Lethal Force More ...
What is an example of a continuum of use of force?
This continuum generally has many 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. An example of a use-of-force continuum follows: Officer Presence — No force is used.
What is the police force continuum?
Force Continuum. Police officers use the force continuum, a scale of force alternatives, to mediate the level of response used in a given situation. The force continuum is broken down into six broad levels. Each level is designed to be flexible as the need for force changes as the situation develops.
What is Level 1 on the 6-stepped ladder of force continuum?
An officer has the capacity to prevent an ongoing crime or to prevent a crime that may otherwise have happened. In this way, the presence of a law enforcement officer constitutes “Level 1” on the 6-stepped ladder of the force continuum. The police officer in question doesn’t even need to utter a word, let alone move a limb.
What are the 5 levels of the use of force continuum?
Level 1 – Presence of a Law Enforcement Officer. Level 2 – Verbal Response. Level 3 – Empty Hand Techniques. Level 4 – Non-Deadly Weaponry.
What is the use of force continuum levels in order?
What is the Use-of-Force Continuum? In simple terms, the use-of-force continuum is a set of policies that allow officers to increase the verbal and physical deterrents under specific circumstances. The basic idea is that officers use the least amount of physical contact required to negotiate a situation.
How many levels are in the use of force continuum?
The force continuum is broken down into six broad levels. Each level is designed to be flexible as the need for force changes as the situation develops. It is common for the level of force to go from level two, to level three, and back again in a matter of seconds.
What are the six stages in the use of force continuum?
The U.S. Navy teaches a six-step model: Officer presence, Verbal commands, Soft controls, Hard controls, Intermediate Weapons, and Lethal force.
What is a Level 4 use of force?
Level 4 Uses of Force include the following: Any intentional pointing of a firearm at a person. Any weaponless defense technique applied to a vulnerable area, excluding strikes, including hair grab, pressure to mastoid or jaw line, and shoulder muscle grab.
What are the level of forces?
The levels, or continuum, of force police use include basic verbal and physical restraint, less-lethal force, and lethal force. Learn more about the use-of-force continuum. The level of force an officer uses varies based on the situation.
What is the lowest level of force in the force continuum quizlet?
Mere presence is the lowest level of force on the continuum of force.
What are the first three steps in the use of force continuum?
The Use-of-Force ContinuumOfficer Presence — No force is used. ... Verbalization — Force is not-physical. ... Empty-Hand Control — Officers use bodily force to gain control of a situation. ... Less-Lethal Methods — Officers use less-lethal technologies to gain control of a situation.More items...•
What level of the use of force continuum does OC spray fall on?
When it comes to pepper spray, this falls under level four on the use of force continuum chart. When a use of force from level four is applied in an effort to gain control over a situation, it is considered to be a less-lethal method.
What is the lowest level of force in the use of force continuum?
Mere presence is the lowest level of force on the continuum of force.
What are soft empty hands?
c. Empty Hand: Soft empty hand techniques are designed to control passive or defensive resistance. They are used when verbal direction/commands are not effective and there is non-compliance with lawful orders.
What is the lowest level of force in the use of force continuum?
Mere presence is the lowest level of force on the continuum of force.
What is the use of force continuum quizlet?
Police officers use the force continuum, a scale of force alternatives, to mediate the level of response used in a given situation. The force continuum is broken down into six broad levels. Each level is designed to be flexible as the need for force changes as the situation develops.
What dictates a reason a security officer can escalate the use of force?
The objective of conflict resolution is to gain voluntary compliance. What dictates the reason a security officer can escalate the use of force? A security officer is justified to use force in response to a verbal provocation alone. An example of good command presence would be used to stand with your hand on your gun.
Which of the following are considered impact munitions?
Which of the following are considered impact munitions? Less-lethal weapons that are used to stun or otherwise incapacitate uncooperative suspects so they can be subdued. Examples include rubber bullets and bean bag projectiles.
What is level one in the Use of Force continuum?
Officer Presence: Appearance, demeanor, verbal and non-verbal communications that create an atmosphere of compliance.
What is level two in the Use of Force continuum?
Verbal Commands: Verbal commands in the form of task direction with consequences aimed at the subject.
What is level three in the Use of Force continuum?
Control Techniques: Techniques or actions with a low probability of causing connective tissue damage, lacerations of the skin, or broken bones.
What is level four in the Use of Force continuum?
Aggressive Response Techniques: Techniques or actions likely to result in connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, broken bones, or produ...
What is level five in the Use of Force continuum?
Intermediate Weapons: Techniques or actions with a high probability of causing connective tissue damages, lacerations of the skin, or broken bones.
What is level six in the Use of Force continuum?
Deadly Force: Any Force that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury.
What acronym is used to help decide when to move up and down the Use of Force continuum, and what does each letter stand for?
SAFER. S.- Safety/Security of Boarding Team A.- Attack F.- Fleeing Suspect E.- Excessive Repetitions. R.- Revised Priorities
What are some examples of level 3 use of force?
Normal application of handcuffs, pain compliance, pressure points, escorts, and join manipulation
What are some examples of level 4 use of force?
OC spray, punches, kicks, stuns, takedowns
What is the purpose of the force continuum?
Its function is to organize a structured and justified response to a situation. For example – it would be unjustifiable for a police officer to shoot and kill a bystander who wasn’t obeying simple ...
Why is the force continuum important?
The force continuum is an important topic; a topic that examines the use of force by law enforcement officers. Knowing the force continuum is also important for the oral board exam. Here, we examine why as well as what fundamental details you need to know. In the oral board exam, you are asked situational questions about how you would react.
What is the least forceful response?
An officer in attendance at an event commands the behavior of the crowd, even if members of the crowd don’t think about it. “Level 1” on the force continuum is, therefore, the least forceful of all responses.
How should commands be stated?
Commands should be stated in a calm but firm manner. Commands should react according to the situation. If a situation appears to be becoming more aggressive, commands and the force with which they’re said may also increase. Verbal commands are an important aspect of communication.
How many volts does a police officer need to spark a gun?
A high voltage spark of up to 50,000 volts is applied to the suspect, ceasing motor movements and allowing officers to come in for the arrest. All three non-deadly weapons are important tools for the police officer, not just to defend themselves but also the wider public too.
What is level 1 in law enforcement?
Level 1 – Presence of a Law Enforcement Officer. Let’s be clear – the presence of a police officer itself has an enormous impact. An officer has the capacity to prevent an ongoing crime or to prevent a crime that may otherwise have happened. In this way, the presence of a law enforcement officer constitutes “Level 1” on the 6-stepped ladder ...
When is lethal force warranted?
Lethal force is warranted in cases where all other means have been exhausted, or that an immediate threat to the life of the officer and/or members of the public has presented itself. In these situations, police officers must decisively act.
What is the use of force continuum?
A use of force continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officers and civilians with guidelines as to how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. In some ways, it is similar to the U.S. military 's escalation of force (EOF). The purpose of these models is to clarify, ...
Why is the use of force continuum important?
Although the use of force continuum is used primarily as a training tool for law enforcement 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 ...
What is the most widely recognized lethal force weapon?
A firearm is the most widely recognized lethal or deadly force weapon, however, an automobile or weapon of opportunity could also be defined as a deadly force utility. The U.S. Navy teaches a six-step model: Officer presence, Verbal commands, Soft controls, Hard controls, Intermediate Weapons, and Lethal force.
What is the definition of lethal force?
Lethal force/Deadly force – a force with a high probability of causing death or serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury includes unconsciousness, protracted or obvious physical disfigurement, or protracted loss of or impairment to the function of a bodily member, organ, or the mental faculty.
Why is force more likely to be employed?
Force is more likely to be employed if suspect is disrespectful, intoxicated, and/or wielding a weapon. Research has also found that special division officers are more likely to use deadly force on suspects. Studies examining gender influences on the use of force are still inconclusive.
Why is it necessary for an officer to include a consequence to the verbal direction?
In some cases, it is necessary for the officer to include a consequence to the verbal direction so that the subject understands what will happen if the subject refuses to comply with the officer’s direction. The verbal command and the consequence must be legal and not considered excessive according to the continuum.
When is a graphical representation of a use of force continuum useful to a jury?
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.
Level 1: Presence Of An Officer
The first in police levels of force is the presence of an officer. The mere presence of a uniform officer is sufficient to control a situation. This level implies that the presence of a police officer at a location ensures that the situation does not further escalate. The mere presence of an officer at a location can also deter a crime.
Level 2: Verbal Commands
The second level of use of force continuum is verbal commands. Imagine being a law enforcement officer. Your presence and your verbal commands shall be able to prevent or deter the crime. The second level of the use of force continuum can only be practiced if the first level is not giving you the desired results.
Level 3: Empty Hand Control
The third level in the police use of force continuum list is “Empty hands control.” There will be times when words alone will not be sufficient to control the situation, and it will be necessary to use force. The police officers can get physical if the situation is not being controlled through verbal commands.
Level: 4 Pepper Spray, Baton, Taser
This level of use of force is practiced when the suspect is threatening the police officer, and the goal of this level is to bring him/her under control. Before moving to the fourth level of use of force, the police officer has to practice the third level of use of force, and if it does not give results, the officers can use the fourth level.
Level 5: Use Of Less Lethal Weapons
Level five is the new mechanism of use of force recently deployed by most law enforcement agencies. It allows the police officers to use less-lethal weapons to control the suspect. Less lethal weapons have been primarily used in protests, riots, and anti-state activities.
Level 6: Deadly Force
6th level is that of use of deadly force. It is justified only if the police officer has significant reason to believe that the suspect poses a life threat to the officer or anyone else. In most cases, peace officers are encountered with situations in which it is necessary to use firearms.
How many levels of the force continuum are there?
The force continuum is broken down into six broad levels. Each level is designed to be flexible as the need for force changes as the situation develops. It is common for the level of force to go from level two, ...
Why is it important to understand the force continuum?
It is important for applicants for entry level law enforcement positions to understand the concept and issues surrounding what we call , "Force Continuum.". Here is a summary that will help you prepare for the police oral boards or job interview.
What is level 4 pepper spray?
Level 4 - Pepper Spray, Baton, Taser. Pepper spray is an effective part of force continuum. The police batton or stick is an important part of force continuum. Understanding the concept of Force Continuum is important when applying for law enforcement positions. When the suspect is violent or threatening, more extreme, ...
What should the level of force used be tailored to?
As a general rule, the level of force used should be tailored to the nature of the threat that prompted its use. Applicants for entry-level law enforcement positions should learn all they can about the Force Continuum before they interview.
Is deadly force justified?
If a police officer has probable cause to believe that a suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others, then the use of deadly force is justified. It is obvious from all of the news about misuse of power by police, that this is easier said than done.
Introduction
Level 1 – Presence Ofa Law Enforcement Officer
Level 2 – Verbalresponse
Level 3 – Empty Handtechniques
Level 4 – Non-Deadlyweaponry
Level 5 – Lethal Force
- The final stage of theforce continuum is, of course, lethal force. Lethal force iswarranted in cases where all other means have been exhausted, or that an immediatethreat to the life of the officer and/or members of the publichaspresented itself. In these situations, police officers must decisively act. However, as the most lethal part of the force...
Final Thoughts