Control holds and OC spray are examples of which force category?

Control holds and OC spray are examples of which force category?

• A. No force.
• B. Moderate force.
• C. Deadly force.
• D. Discretionary force.

Answer: (B)

Moderate force sits between verbal commands (no force) and using weapons or actions that could cause serious injury. Control holds physically restrain a person and OC spray temporarily incapacitates, both aimed at gaining or maintaining control with lower risk of serious harm. They’re not no force, since they involve a physical or chemical means; they’re not deadly force, since they’re not intended to cause death or serious injury. Discretionary force refers to the decision to apply force, not to a specific level or type of tool, so it doesn’t fit as neatly. So these techniques are best understood as moderate (intermediate) force.

Moderate force sits between verbal commands (no force) and using weapons or actions that could cause serious injury. Control holds physically restrain a person and OC spray temporarily incapacitates, both aimed at gaining or maintaining control with lower risk of serious harm. They’re not no force, since they involve a physical or chemical means; they’re not deadly force, since they’re not intended to cause death or serious injury. Discretionary force refers to the decision to apply force, not to a specific level or type of tool, so it doesn’t fit as neatly. So these techniques are best understood as moderate (intermediate) force.