Use of force

Use of force is the application of physical power or weapons by an authority to control a person or situation. Its rules govern when force is permitted, how much may be used, and how its use is reviewed.

Proportionality: The principle that a response should not exceed what is justified by the relevant aim and circumstances. It limits the severity of force in relation to the threat or resistance.
Police use of force: The use of physical force or weapons by police while carrying out law-enforcement duties. Police encounters are a central setting for public rules and scrutiny of force.
Use of force continuum: A framework that groups force options into levels associated with a person's behavior and resistance. Its staged model contrasts with policies that reject fixed escalation ladders.
Police brutality: The excessive or unjustified use of force or authority by police. It names a grave form of force that violates legal or professional limits.
Necessity: The principle that an action is justified only when needed to achieve a legitimate aim. It asks whether force can be avoided or replaced by a less harmful measure.
Deadly force: Force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Its exceptional severity brings the strictest legal and policy limits.
Least intrusive means: The requirement to choose an effective option that interferes least with a person's rights or interests. It sets a more restrictive choice rule than simply allowing proportionate force.
Police accountability: Systems that require police to explain their conduct and face consequences for misconduct. Oversight determines whether force incidents lead to investigation and correction.
De-escalation: Actions that reduce tension, danger, or conflict and make a less forceful resolution possible. Communication and time can prevent a situation from reaching force.
Use of force in prisons: The application of force by correctional staff to manage people held in custody. Custodial settings raise distinct questions about control, safety, and vulnerability.

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