What constitutes reasonable use of force?

• A. Any force as long as the officer is trained.
• B. Force should always be the minimum possible, regardless of threat.
• C. Force that is proportionate to the threat and necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, commensurate with totality of circumstances.
• D. Force only when the suspect is armed.

Answer: (C)

Reasonable use of force means the amount of force used must be proportionate to the threat and necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, evaluated by the totality of circumstances the officer faces at the moment. This requires the officer to weigh factors such as how imminent and severe the threat is, the subject’s level of resistance, whether the subject is armed, the presence of bystanders, and the availability of alternatives (de-escalation, verbal commands, or less-lethal options). The aim is to stop the threat or prevent harm while preserving life, using only the amount of force needed to achieve that objective and stopping as soon as the threat is neutralized. This is not about always using the minimum possible force regardless of threat, nor about relying solely on training, nor about forcing action only when someone is armed. Instead, it centers on applying a reasonable, measured response that fits the specific circumstances and the legitimate goals of the encounter.