Use of Force and Defensive Tactics
What the candidate must know
Use of force is governed by a legal standard (reasonable and necessary, proportional, objectively reasonable from the officer's perspective) and often a policy continuum (presence, verbal, soft empty hand, hard empty hand, intermediate weapons, lethal force). The candidate must understand proportionality, imminent threat, duty to intervene when a colleague uses excessive force, and duty to render aid after force is applied. Know the difference between defensive tactics (designed to create distance and escape) and control tactics (designed to restrain). Understand positional asphyxia risk in prone restraint and the need to move a subject to a recovery position as soon as safe. Document force immediately: what, why, how much, and what injuries were observed.
Traps
Questions equate "the subject was resisting" with "any force is justified" - false; force must match the threat and stop when resistance stops. Another trap: continuing to apply handcuffs or pressure after the subject complies. Watch for questions where a weapon is available but not justified - drawing a baton because a person is yelling is excessive. Also watch for "I was scared" as a complete justification - fear must be objectively reasonable given the facts.
Rule of thumb
Threat + Necessity + Proportionality + Documentation. If any element is missing, the force was likely unjustified.