The Use of Force - Less - Lethal Force

Out of the levels of force, I think the most misunderstood is the use of what is referred to as "Less - Lethal Methods".

    Less - Lethal methods are used with the intent is to escalate the level of force with methods that will not result in death or serious injury to a suspect if applied properly. The key to the use of these methods is the validity of the training, with practice of the skills and updating knowledge of when and when not to use them. It is important to note that some agencies advocate a different order for their use.

    Here is a review of these methods from Part 1 of the Use of Force series and are addressed in order. 

• Blunt impact. Officers may use a baton or projectile to immobilize a combative person.
• The standard baton is a straight wood or metal rod like weapon. It is used primarily for defense by blocking attempts by a suspect to strike the officer. It can also be used in an offense method in the form of striking the body or used as a lever to pin a suspect’s arms.
• The Modnadnock PR-24 is a two handled version of the police baton, with a short handle protruding at the near end. It is based on the Japanese Tonfa weapon, used in Okinawan martial arts. There are links to additional information on the tools and weapons covered here at the end of the article.
• Projectile: This refers to rubber or plastic bullets that are fired from a regular revolver or pistol. There is no power charge, and the projectile is propelled by the firing primer only. Commonly used in crowd and prison control, there is a version that when detonated propels a series of small rubber projectiles at high speed that will rebound and strike individuals
  
  Bean Bags are fired from the equivalent of a shot gun shell, and their use is currently under scrutiny. As they are not aerodynamic, aiming such a projectile is difficult and are designed to hit a subject in non-vulnerable areas such as the legs. The torso is more sensitive to injury from the impact and the head is considered a red zone. Unfortunately, the projectiles can strike people in the yellow and red zones even if the officer is aiming properly, causing more serious injuries.
  
  
• Chemical. Officers may use chemical sprays or projectiles embedded with chemicals to restrain an individual
• Pepper Spray: The active ingredient in pepper spray is oleoresin capsicum. It is a fast acting irritant designed to temporarily cause a suspect to become disoriented. This allows the arresting officer to subdue and restrain the individual. Most agencies require their officers to be subjected to the effects of the spray to understand how the suspect will react and to train the mandatory decontamination procedures. 
• Chemical projectiles refer to an object similar to a paintball pellet which is filled with the irritant as opposed to paint. Used as a method of crowd control at a distance, such a weapon would more than likely not be used on a single individual.
  

• Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs). Commonly known by the trademark name Taser and other names, CEDs are used to immobilize a single individual.
• These weapons discharge a high-voltage, low-amperage jolt of electricity from a distance out of reach of a suspect.
   
• Used in situations where close in contact with a suspect would be of increased risk, CED's allow an officer to apply force level from a short distance, enabling restraints to be applied after the suspect is immobilized.
  
  

    Regardless of force used, the officer is responsible to continually re-evaluate the need for such force and to escalate or discontinue it as required. Continuing to use an ineffective level of force, or after the suspect has ceased to resist is dangerous for both the suspect and the officer.

     No one should find themselves in a situation where such force is applied. If you are, it is vital to remember that verbally agreeing to comply may not change the level of force being used. Continue to clearly state you will comply and then do so. The street is not the place to win a civil rights argument against an officer who is clearly abusing their authority.

    An officer is authorized to meet the level of force encountered, and then go one step higher to bring an immediate end to an altercation. It is a sad fact that there are officers who will bypass lower levels in favor of higher levels of force. It is imperative that the public understand that the only way to survive such an encounter is to comply with all instructions as given. Always remember to communicate clearly and repeatedly, to take as non-offensive posture as possible, and finally that the time to press any sort of complaint is after the incident is over.

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_%28law_enforcement%29#Side-handle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonfa (Okinawan martial arts weapon)