Re-examining the Use of Force Continuum

Article summary

Force continua have long tied permissible force to a subject’s resistance. This peer-reviewed study argues that resistance alone is conceptually and empirically insufficient to determine whether force is necessary or how much is appropriate. It proposes adding perceived threat, operationalized through ability, opportunity, and intent, and examines body-camera scenarios to show how officers may assess the same encounter differently. The research also underscores organizational culture’s influence on force decisions. Agencies can use these findings to reconsider policy models, training content, supervisory review, and research measures that inadvertently treat resistance as a sufficient justification.