The Continuum of Force model has been used by law enforcement agencies for years, though many agencies across the country are now moving to a different one, a new and improved version called “Force Options.” For the purpose of our discussion here, the Continuum of Force still works nicely.

Police

Force Options and Continuum of Force provide the police with a guideline to follow when they are compelled to respond with force in a situation. To give you a visual, think of the continuum as a ladder with several rungs. Read it from the bottom rung up.

• Lethal force (firearms)
• Impact weapons (batons)
• Defensive body tactics (hands-on tactics)
• Pepper spray (A dash of cayenne to shut down the vision and disturb the breathing
• Passive control (physically moving a person)
• Verbal commands (voice commands)
• Officer’s presence (commanding and authoritative presence)

To give you an example of how it works, I’ll simplify it and make the ladder a little one with just three steps.

• On the fist rung, the officer uses his presence and voice commands to control an agitated person.
  
• When the subject escalates the situation, the officer moves up the continuum of force to use physical control techniques, such as wrist locks and takedowns, pepper spray, and the police baton.
• Should the subject threaten or attempt to use a weapon against the officer or someone in the officer’s presence, the officer can escalate all the way up the continuum ladder to lethal force, to include extreme empty hand techniques, extreme baton techniques, or the firearm.

Now, some violent situations occur so suddenly that the officer must bypass the first rung or two on the continuum and immediately use pepper spray or the baton. Some explosive situations necessitate that the officer, within a second or two of contact with a dangerous subject, jump all the way up to lethal force.

Civilians

Civilians should also follow a continuum of force, one that is somewhat similar to that used by law enforcement. Before I get into it, allow me to say that civilians have one primary advantage that law enforcement doesn’t enjoy. When there is an opportunity, civilians can move away from danger; they can run from it. However, law enforcement must move toward the danger. That is a huge difference that many people don’t recognize.

Civilian continuum of force model Here is a simple civilian continuum I devised for discussion. Again, read from the bottom of the ladder up.

• Lethal force
  
• Hands on with force, including injury, to stop the threat
  
• Hands on with pain to control
  
• Hands on with little or no pain
  
• Strong presence and firm voice
  
• Voice and presence
  
• Avoid high-risk situations
  

Let's look at the first rung on the civilian model:

Avoid high-risk situations

Follow your common sense and avoid dangerous bars, street corners, convenience stores and parks. People often get into trouble because they blunder into situations that, after the dust settles and their wounds heal, they see that their decision was not a wise one. Avoid a problem by not putting yourself into its midst.

• You know there is a bully in your school or at your job. While it’s not always easy, do all that you can to avoid being around him and giving him an opportunity to intimidate you. Though you might be able to successfully fight him off, who needs the hassle?
• You see a street beggar a few yards up the sidewalk grabbing at passersby. Why put yourself at risk? Swallow your pride and cross the street. You will soon forget about it and life will be grand. But should you choose to walk by the aggressive beggar, a situation might unfold that could be costly in terms of your well-being, his well-being, court time, lawyers, and so on.
• One of your uncles is an obnoxious alcoholic and a pervert to boot. Every time there is a family gathering he grabs at you and says awful things. During the last few family events he has gotten progressively worse. Before the situation explodes, you need to talk to other family members and let them know what is going on. Maybe even tell them that you’re not going to participate in family events as long as he is invited.

The above article is copyrighted by the author. All rights reserved.