NCJ Number
189000
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 35-37
Date Published
February 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The "Use of Force Model" currently used by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) provides law enforcement officers with various options they may use as "enforcement electives."
Abstract
The FLETC Model categorizes the "reasonable" officer's perception of how a subject will or will not submit to arrest in one of five levels. In the "compliant" level, the subject is cooperative and complies with the officer's requests or commands to submit to arrest. Usually, there are not many use-of-force concerns if a subject complies with the officer. In the "resistive (passive)" level, there is no physical energy directed by the arrestee, yet the subject does not follow the officer's commands. Some force options by the officer at this level include guiding or directing the subjects through "hands-on" techniques. The "resistive (active)" level, is when the arrestee has directed energy and physical strength in resisting arrest. This is active resistance and a officer may have to use a number of compliance techniques, which may include: joint manipulation or restraints; leverage techniques; pressure points; or even OC spray. The "assaultive (bodily harm)" level is a direct physical attack on officers or others that would likely cause bodily harm. This is a type of attack that would not result in serious bodily injury or death. The options that an officer may use at this level include strikes with hands, fists, elbow, knees or kicks; baton strikes; and forcefully directing the subject to the ground. The "assaultive (serious bodily harm or death)" level is the least encountered but most serious threat to an officer's safety. This is the type of attack under which officers would believe that they or others are confronted with the possibility of serious bodily injury or death. The appropriate officer response at this level would be deadly force. Under the FLETC Model, officers may use a level of force at a lesser level as an option, but they must carefully analyze whether a lesser use of force is appropriate. The use of excessive force is a concern, but so is the use of too little force. This article discusses the training and products that aid in preparing and assisting officers in using the force appropriate to the level of resistance being encountered.