What is force?

Force is a tool used by law enforcement to obtain compliance from an unwilling suspect. There are five levels of force, some of which do not involve physical interaction:

• 1- Presence of the Officer

Do not require the officer to say anything or move; this is a deterrent method.

• 2- Verbal Response

The officer delivers commands such as “Stop” and “Can I see your ID.”

• 3- Empty Hand Techniques

Soft: Applying pressure to parts of the body to restrain a suspect

Hard: Techniques that can cause injury

• 4- Non-Deadly Weapons

Involve using an object such as batons, pepper spray, and a taser

• 5- Lethal Force

It can only occur when all other means have been used to their fullest potential, or there is an immediate threat to the lives of the officer and members of the public

What is Reasonable Force

Reasonable force is the amount of force an officer decides is necessary to protect themselves and others depending on the situation and where a suspect is resisting arrest or attempting to leave. This may be tricky to distinguish and must be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Ex:   Officer sits down a resisting suspect in handcuffs

What is Excessive Force?

Excessive force is an amount of force an officer uses that exceeds what is necessary for an interaction with a suspect. This type of force is a violation of the constitution and your civil rights. Ex:

• Officers hurting suspects while in restraints or police custody
• Officers using deadly force when the suspect is running away
• Unlawful use of service baton or taser

What Should I Do If I am a Victim of Excessive Force?

If you believe you are a victim of excessive force, you should

• Receive medical attention and retain documentation
• Document
• Officer names/badge numbers
• Law Enforcement Agency (name of the police or sheriff’s department)
• Witness to the Incident
• Date/Time/Location of the incident
• Contact an Attorney you trust

If you feel your rights have been violated or you have experienced police misconduct or police brutality please click here to fill out this form and someone from our firm will contact you within 24 hours.

**Nothing in this blog post should be taken as legal advice.