A Use Of Force Continuum Summary

A use of force continuum is a rulebook that provides police officers and civilians with a set of guidelines as to how much force they are allowed to use against an opposing member in any given situation. The officer used a few force options during the incident being 1) verbal commands because she gave clear and undertandable direction by explaining to the man what she wanted him to do, for example, “stand against the car.” This was objectively reasonable because the man was completely capable of following directions and standing against the car because he had no restraints that would stop him from doing as the officer says. When the intoxicated man started to get more aggressive and walk towards one of the male police officers, the female
It is a police officer’s duty to maintain the impression that they are there to serve and that they are not the type to mess around. To answer the question, yes, I do believe that the female police officer used good command presence during her encounter with the intoxicated man for a number of reasons, the first being because 1) she was very stern and looked the man in the eyes the entire time; 2) she did not back down from the man when he told her “excuse me. I'm talking to you,” the police officer let him know who is in charge immediately following his comment by telling him she is the one asking the questions not him; 3) she used proper authoritative verbal communication by repeatedly saying “turn around and lean against the car for me,” she did not allow the man to take over the situation like he thought he could; 4) she told the man that “apparently he is out there threatening people,” which was a good choice of words because she did not accuse that man and was very put together and calm while questioning his intent; and 5) she looked like a well put together police officer with her hair pulled back and her uniform properly tucked