ABSTRACT
When you go to arrest someone, who determines how much force you will use? Do you make that decision? Or is it the person you are arresting? I hosted many VIP groups at the FBI, and I would always include a demonstration of the firearms “shoot-don’t shoot” simulator. It was my objective to ensure every person who attended left with an accurate perception of a use of force incident. Some people got the answer to the above question right immediately and some had to be convinced. The correct answer is the bad guy always determines how much force an officer uses. It is the bad guy’s level of resistance that directly determines the necessary force required. If the subject follows commands and complies completely, then great. We slap on the handcuffs and off we go to jail. We’re all safe for another day. But if the subject wants to run away, fight, or shoot, then we don’t necessarily have the fairy tale happy ending.
