Are Use of Force Models an effective tool for training officers?
Bostain: You know, I think we might be getting a little ahead of ourselves here. Before we can start a discussion about Use of Force Models and continuums, let’s first address the legal standard for use of force by law enforcement officers in the United States. Solari: Ok, great, who sets that legal standard? Bostain: It’s set by the United States Supreme Court, and its interpretation of the Fourth Amendment. Solari: Well, then, has the Supreme Court said when law enforcement officers are allowed to use force? Bostain: Yes, they have. The Supreme Court has expressly stated the right to make an arrest or an investigatory stop necessarily carries with it the right to use some level of physical coercion of threat thereof to affect it. In other words, if the officer has the authority to conduct a seizure, he has the authority to use force or the threat of force to accomplish that mission. Solari: So then we know when an officer can use force. Has the Supreme Court told us how much force a
