Definitions

Force

Any physical effort used to overcome resistance, prevent flight, or effect lawful control. Includes hands-on control, less-lethal devices, canine, firearms display, and firearms discharge.

Objective Reasonableness

The Fourth Amendment standard from Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). Force is judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on scene, considering the severity of the offense, immediate threat, and whether the subject is actively resisting or fleeing — without 20/20 hindsight.

De-escalation

The use of communication, time, distance, and tactical positioning to reduce the need for force when feasible and consistent with safety.

Deadly Force

Force likely to cause death or great bodily harm. Permitted only when the officer reasonably believes such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the officer or another person, consistent with Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985).

Purpose

To establish a clear, constitutionally grounded framework for the use of force; to protect officers, the public, and the agency; and to ensure transparent reporting and review of every force event.

Sanctity of Life

All [AGENCY NAME] members are committed to the sanctity of life. Force is used only when necessary, proportional to the threat, and consistent with this policy. Officers will, when feasible, use techniques and tactics that reduce the need for force.

Scope

Applies to all sworn members on duty and to off-duty members exercising peace officer authority.

De-escalation

• When safe and feasible, officers shall attempt to de-escalate prior to using force.
• De-escalation includes: clear identification as a peace officer; placing distance and barriers between officer and subject; calm verbal direction; offering options; waiting; requesting additional resources; engaging Crisis Intervention or Mobile Crisis where indicated.
• Officers shall not use de-escalation in a manner that creates an unreasonable safety risk to themselves, fellow officers, or the public.
• When de-escalation is unsuccessful or not feasible, the officer documents the reasons.

Objective Reasonableness Factors

Whether a use of force is objectively reasonable depends on the totality of the circumstances. Consider:

• The severity of the crime at issue.
• Whether the subject poses an immediate threat to officers or others.
• Whether the subject is actively resisting arrest or attempting to flee.
• The conduct of the subject (resistance level, weapons, statements).
• Number and condition of officers vs. subjects.
• The subject's apparent age, size, strength, mental and physical condition.
• Influence of drugs or alcohol on the subject.
• Availability of de-escalation, less-lethal options, and additional resources.
• Environment (lighting, terrain, presence of bystanders, exigency).

Force Options

Prohibited Conduct

• Force as punishment, retaliation, or to extract information.
• Force based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or political affiliation.
• Carotid restraint and other neck restraints, except where deadly force is justified (and only where state law permits).
• Force on a handcuffed or otherwise restrained subject not posing a continued threat.
• Force on a person solely for verbal disrespect of the officer.

Duty to Intervene

Any officer who observes another officer using force that is unreasonable under this policy or constitutional standards shall, when in a position to do so, intervene to prevent or stop the force. The officer shall report the observation to a supervisor as soon as practicable. Failure to intervene where reasonably able is subject to discipline equal to the underlying violation.

Medical Aid

After any use of force resulting in injury, complaint of injury, or use of less-lethal device — the officer shall promptly summon medical aid, render basic aid if trained and safe, and document the medical evaluation in the report.

Reporting

Force reports are required for any application of force beyond officer presence and verbal control. See the Response to Resistance Reporting policy for full requirements.

Post-Incident Procedure

• Officer ensures scene safety and medical aid.
• Officer notifies supervisor.
• Supervisor responds to the scene, conducts a preliminary review.
• For deadly-force or significant-injury events: the agency Critical Incident Response is activated.
• Officer is provided employee assistance and peer support.
• Officer may be placed on administrative leave per agency protocol pending review.

Review

• Every reported use of force is reviewed up the chain of command within 30 days.
• Deadly-force and significant-injury events receive enhanced review including legal review and (where applicable) external review.
• Findings are used for training, policy revision, and individual coaching.
• Discipline arises from policy violations identified through investigation under the agency's discipline process.

Training

• Initial use-of-force training at academy and onboarding.
• Annual refresher including legal updates, de-escalation, scenario-based training.
• Required currency on each less-lethal device the officer is authorized to use.
• Crisis intervention training (40-hour CIT or equivalent) for all officers within first 2 years.
• Documentation of training kept in personnel and training records.

Annual Reporting

The agency shall publish an annual report of use-of-force incidents, including aggregate numbers by type, reported demographics, and outcomes — in a manner consistent with privacy and applicable law.

References

• Graham v. Connor490 U.S. 386 (1989)
• Tennessee v. Garner471 U.S. 1 (1985)
• IACP Model Policy on Use of Forceiacp.org
• CALEA Standards 1.3calea.org
• DOJ COPS Office Use-of-Force Resourcescops.usdoj.gov
• State Statute on Use of Force[INSERT STATE]
• State POST Use-of-Force Curriculum[INSERT STATE]

Adapt this template

Before this template becomes your department's policy, review the following items and adjust accordingly. Anything else that does not match your operation should be updated as well.

• DRAFT — This template requires review by qualified legal counsel and a named subject-matter expert (chief, police attorney, or risk manager) before publication and before adoption.
• Insert agency-specific de-escalation language consistent with state POST guidance.
• Reconcile prohibitions (e.g., neck restraints) with state law — some states prohibit, some restrict.
• Insert agency-specific less-lethal options matrix.
• Coordinate with the Response to Resistance Reporting and Body-Worn Camera policies.