Which statement best reflects proportional use of force?

• A. Force should be maximum in all encounters.
• B. Force used should be arbitrary.
• C. Force proportional to threat and reasonably necessary to achieve a legitimate objective.
• D. Force must never be used.

Answer: (C)

The principle at work is proportional use of force: the amount and type of force applied should match the level of threat and be reasonably necessary to achieve a legitimate objective. This emphasizes stopping or controlling risk while avoiding excess harm, and it aligns with policies and legal standards that require escalating or de-escalating force only as warranted by the situation. In practice, you respond with control that fits how dangerous the threat is and what you’re trying to achieve, starting with the least intrusive means and increasing only as needed to protect yourself or others. The idea is to balance safety with rights, recognizing that some situations call for limited moves to deter or disengage, while others justify stronger actions to prevent harm. The other statements imply either using force without regard to threat, applying force universally, or never using force, which either disregards safety and legality or leaves the officer unable to stop harm.