ABSTRACT
Under statute, police have the lawful authority to use force for self-defense, defense of others, crime prevention, and law enforcement tasks (Gallo, Collyer, & Gallagher, 2008). Conceptually speaking, force is a coercive action to make somebody do something. Police may use different degrees of force against citizens who violate the law. Forceful responses can range from mere police presence to the use of weaponry. The use of force is a central part of the police profession. The authority to use it makes policing one of the most powerful professions in society. If left unchecked, such power may lead to excessive force problems.
