Physical Skills and Officer Safety
Reasonable force
Use of force is judged by objective reasonableness under Graham v. Connor: the severity of the crime, the immediate threat, and active resistance or flight. Deadly force is force likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; Tennessee v. Garner limits it to preventing escape of a suspect who poses a significant threat. The “continuum” is a teaching tool, not a rigid ladder; officers may move directly to the force reasonably necessary.
Officer safety
Distinguish cover (stops bullets) from concealment (hides you). Practice contact/cover roles, weapon retention, proper handcuffing and searching, and safe positioning during stops. After any force, render medical aid and monitor for positional asphyxia; place the subject on their side or upright when safe. Stress changes perception-tunnel vision, auditory exclusion-so train to breathe, scan, and reassess. Duty to intervene: if a fellow officer uses excessive force, intervene when feasible and report.
Traps
- “The continuum must be followed step by step” - false.
- “Anything is justified if an officer fears injury” - the fear must be objectively reasonable and the force proportionate.
- “Cover and concealment are the same” - they are not.
- “Once the subject is handcuffed, the encounter is over” - continue to monitor breathing and position.
Worked example
A subject advances with clenched fists and refuses commands. Apply Graham: the crime may be minor, but the immediate threat and active resistance support a proportional response-verbal control, then hands-on control or a less-lethal option if available and safe-while cover officers prepare. Reassess after each application.