How is "use of force" legally defined?

Use of force is legally defined as the amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject. This definition encompasses the idea that law enforcement may need to apply varying degrees of force to achieve compliance during interactions with individuals who are resisting their commands or efforts to control a situation.

This definition is crucial in understanding how officers are trained to respond to different scenarios, balancing the need for authority with the rights of individuals. The use of force must be proportional to the situation at hand and justified by the need to maintain order and protect both the officer and the public. This definition reflects legal standards and guidelines that govern police conduct, ensuring that use of force is not arbitrary but founded on the necessity of the circumstances faced by law enforcement agencies.