Use of force continuum
The use of force continuum is a framework that guides law enforcement officers on how and when to apply force in various situations. This continuum typically includes a range of responses that escalate depending on the circumstances, starting from mere presence and verbal commands, and moving through physical control techniques to non-lethal and, as a last resort, lethal force. The guiding principle is to use the least amount of force necessary to gain control while prioritizing de-escalation and minimizing harm.
Officers are trained to assess situations carefully, balancing their need to enforce the law with the obligation to protect both themselves and the public. The principles of necessity, proportionality, and precaution are critical to these decisions. Recent events have prompted a reevaluation of these policies across the U.S., amid concerns of excessive force, particularly in interactions involving people of color. In response, some jurisdictions have implemented changes to their use of force policies, emphasizing de-escalation training and accountability measures such as body cameras. However, the ongoing debate about policing methods reflects a complex interplay of safety, community relations, and the potential impact on officer wellbeing.
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Use of force continuum
A use of force continuum is a policy that guides how and when a police officer uses force in the course of their duties. It usually lists a series of actions that escalate as a situation escalates. The officer is to begin by using as little force as possible and only use more if the situation does not resolve or the people they are dealing with escalate first. These policies include multiple levels, beginning with the officer being present, escalating to the officer speaking and shouting, then to the officer using their body to control a situation. Finally, they escalate to the use of non-lethal force, and then to lethal force. Officers are trained to assess a situation carefully and determine what level of force is necessary, while focusing on using as little force as possible to gain and maintain control. Different jurisdictions can adopt different policies on the use of force.
Background
Use of force policies have existed for years. It is unclear where and when they originated, though it was likely in the 1890s. Research regarding how, when, and where officers use force is inconsistent and ongoing.
Use of force continuums are developed because police officers often have competing goals. They need to mitigate the damage done in a variety of situations, make arrests as needed, and protect both themselves and others. Sometimes, they need to use force to achieve these goals. According to guidelines, using force should be their last option and only be used after all other options fail. Use of force continuums provide guidance about how, when, and where force should be used.
Sometimes, officers are accused of using excessive force. This means they used more force than the situation warranted. To avoid these charges, officers need to evaluate how much force is necessary in a situation based on three principles. Use of force continuums are also based on these principles.
The first of these is necessity. Force is deemed necessary when non-violent tactics will not work, the force is being used for a legitimate law-enforcement reason, and only the minimum amount of force required is used.
The second principle is proportionality. If force is deemed necessary, then it must be used in proportion to what is being used against the officer. Escalating the use of force too quickly can be a disproportional response, even if some force was required in the situation.
The third principle is precaution. Because police officers have a duty to keep everyone safe, including the people they are trying to control or arrest, precautions need to be in place such that, if force is necessary, anyone who is injured because of the officer’s actions can get medical treatment quickly. Precautions may also need to be taken before using force to limit its effects on both bystanders and the intended target.
Use of force continuums offer concrete ways to consider these principles. However, complex situations arise, and officers must make decisions quickly, often based on limited information. This can lead to controversy over the use of force.
Overview
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others at the hands of police officers in 2020 triggered a move to re-examine the use of force policies across the United States.
The concerns of those worried that police regularly use too much force can take multiple forms. Some fear that policing has been becoming more militarized since the 1970s. Police are armed with military-style weapons and use more confrontational tactics than they once did. This began with incorporating and arming SWAT teams but extended to everyday officers in some larger cities. These changes may also change police culture, making officers more likely to escalate through the use of force continuum too quickly.
Others worry that police move through the use of force continuum faster when they confront people of color than they do with White people. Some studies support this, such as a federal study conducted in 2015 by an arm of the US Justice Department, which showed that 81 percent of police shootings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, occurred against African Americans, who constituted 44 percent of the population. Statistics compiled in 2020 showed that Black people were 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than White people. Further racial disparities were found in research comparing the use of force between officers. In a 2020 study, Latino and White police officers were found to use higher levels of force with Black civilians compared to their White peers.
Opponents of these arguments focus on the importance of police officers being able to protect themselves. They argue that, with criminals carrying increasingly dangerous weapons, a more militaristic style of policing is necessary. They also point out that correlation does not mean causation. Police may be more likely to use force against people of color for reasons unrelated to their race.
In response to concerns, some police departments across the United States changed their use of force continuum and how officers were trained to use it. Some limit the amount of force an officer can use or put strict rules around using deadly force. Others implemented mandatory de-escalation training and education on how racial biases inform policing. Still others require officers to turn on body cameras anytime they interact with the public so their actions can later be reviewed. Some police agencies, like the Department of Justice, require their officers to intervene if they see another officer using too much force.
Some preliminary evidence in the early and mid-2020s suggested that these methods were changing how and how frequently officers used force, but quality, longitudinal studies using reliable data were lacking.
In addition, these changes may unintentionally make police officers feel unsafe. They may feel like they are not allowed to use enough force to protect themselves or they may fear litigation if they use any force at all. Efforts to balance these concerns in a comprehensive use of force continuum are ongoing.
Bibliography
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