NCJ Number
132695
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 30-32
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article explains phase II of the training curriculum on the police use-of-force continuum which focuses on the degree and type of subject resistance and the array of officer responses for each type of resistance.
Abstract
The first level of subject resistance involves minimal noncompliance with an officer's request. Officer responses to this level of resistance could appropriately include controlled confrontation, body language, and verbal persuasion. The second level of subject resistance is "resistant level 1" which consists of physical passive resistance, i.e., going limp. At this resistance level, officer responses may escalate to contact controls, joint restraints, weapon-assisted leverage techniques, and nerve-center controls. "Resistance level 2" involves active resistance that does not include an attack on the officer such as walking or running away and gripping a vehicle steering wheel and refusing to move. Officer responses may escalate to weapon-assisted pain compliance techniques, chemical irritants, electrical devices, and intimate impact weapons. At "assaultive level 1" the officer is physically attacked to the degree that minor physical harm may result to the officer. In such a case the officer may escalate a response to the extent of using extended-impact weapons. At "assaultive level 2," the subject mounts a physical attack on the officer that can result in severe injury or death for the officer. Officer responses may then escalate to weaponless techniques with debilitating potential, weapon techniques with debilitating potential, use of the service firearm, and use of a supplemental firearm.