Which of the following are examples of less-lethal force?

Which of the following are examples of less-lethal force?

• A. Verbal commands and LE presence.
• B. Duty weapon.
• C. Taser and baton; physically aggressive.
• D. OC spray.

Answer: (C)

Less-lethal force means options used to stop or control a threat without the goal of causing fatal injury. A taser and a baton fit this idea because they are tools used in close-contact encounters to incapacitate or subdue a suspect with the intent of keeping the risk of serious harm low. The taser delivers a brief electrical impulse to disrupt neuromuscular control, while a baton delivers controlled physical impact to gain compliance. Verbal commands and police presence are de-escalation and deterrence rather than force being applied. The duty weapon represents lethal force, and OC spray, though also less-lethal, is a chemical method rather than a physical tool. In this context, the option that most clearly represents the typical, device-based, physically applied less-lethal options is the combination of taser and baton.

Less-lethal force means options used to stop or control a threat without the goal of causing fatal injury. A taser and a baton fit this idea because they are tools used in close-contact encounters to incapacitate or subdue a suspect with the intent of keeping the risk of serious harm low. The taser delivers a brief electrical impulse to disrupt neuromuscular control, while a baton delivers controlled physical impact to gain compliance. Verbal commands and police presence are de-escalation and deterrence rather than force being applied. The duty weapon represents lethal force, and OC spray, though also less-lethal, is a chemical method rather than a physical tool. In this context, the option that most clearly represents the typical, device-based, physically applied less-lethal options is the combination of taser and baton.