USE OF FORCE CONTINUUM

USE OF FORCE CONTINUUM

Level 1: Uniform Presence. (For example, just your presence of being there, may make people follow the laws)

Level 2: Verbal communication. (Example, Direct communication, trying to speak with people, whether non-hostile to get them to calm down while somebody is resisting)

Level 3: Non-weapon strategies. - (Example, Restraints, trying to restrain someone walking or standing still)

Level 4: Non-lethal weapon strategies. (for example, Tasers, when somebody doesn’t follow your orders after multiple warnings, down them)

Level 5: Disengagement.

Level 6: Deadly force. (Ex. Shotgun or Rifle to kill someone Only use if life's in danger!) 

1) Officers may use one level above the citizens within reason:

• Wrong Example - "Hey officer!" *You restrain him*

• Correct Example - "No way officer, I’m not gonna get out of the car." *After multiple warnings to tell him to get out of the car, you roleplay to break the window and pull them out and restrain them*

• Wrong Example - Citizen walks towards you. *You tase him*

• Correct Example - Citizen runs from you after multiple warnings. *You tase him*

• Wrong Example - Citizen gets into a vehicle accident with you. *You get out and kill him*

• Correct Example - Citizens run you over when you walk across the street. Citizens turn around and floor it towards you. *You kill him or shoot his car to protect yourself*

Presenting lethal

Rules to remember:

1. Treat all guns as if they are always loaded.

2. Never let the muzzle point at anything you are not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to shoot. 

4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it. 

• Never have a firearm out (or taser) unless you are actively in an incident involving a weapon or have a reason to use these tools.

• A routine traffic stop is no reason to have any weapon out unless you are placed in danger via violent resistance or other acts (learn Use of Force Continuum).

• Right-click your mouse muscle (or L trigger on a controller) to Aim down sights.

• If you do not have the option equipped to see down sights always, ensure you ADS using your scroll wheel on the mouse forward.                                            

Difference/understanding of what you can use deadly force for. This includes Police Officers and Civilians. 

Civilians have the right to defend themselves. This means that if someone is actively attacking them, they can use their firearm to defend their life.

The same goes for Police Officers. However, someone attacking your property does not give you the active function of “Self Defense”, and using lethal force on someone actively destroying your property is against the law. The police and civilians alike will follow this law. If you are on the scene of a shooting and you speak with the person involved who shot another civilian and they state the following: 

“He was kicking my vehicle and damaging my car, so I shot him”. 

You will enforce the law as this is not considered a Stand Your Ground Self-Defense case, it is now considered Murder.

As a police officer, the same rules apply to you. You can defend yourself when you are actively being attacked. Someone running away from you, unarmed does not give you the active right to shoot someone in the back. If that suspect is armed and turns around to fire at you, you now have the right to fire at them. 

Someone aiming a firearm at you IS ACTIVELY ENGAGING YOU - even if they do not fire a shot - it is not your job to assume they “won’t fire” their gun if it is pointed at you. 

Be aware of your surroundings - understand that a person with a knife can quickly kill you and they are a threat. ORDER the suspect to drop the weapon and get on the ground. Gain compliance.

Presenting non-lethal

Tasers are okay to have out during Code 2 calls or contacts. During a traffic stop, a taser is okay to have presented and down.