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The Use of Force Continuum for Civilians

Use of Force: Explained

As an agent or law enforcement officer and even as a military combatant, it is not always feasible to just pull a weapon and shoot someone, nor is it morally correct. To ensure some lone ranger does not just go around using their gun for any reason they deem fit, most law enforcement agencies have policies that guide its use of force.

These policies direct us agents to use an escalating series of actions to resolve a situation. This continuum generally has several levels and agents are directed and taught to respond with a level of force that is appropriate to the situation with which they are faced, acknowledging that they may move from one part of the continuum to another in a split second.

Escalation of Force

In the military, the use of force continuum is called the escalation of force (EOF) but they are very similar. The purpose of these models is to clarify for both law enforcement officers and civilians the complex subject of the use of force. There are different models used and none of them are universally applicable, but they are all fairly similar.

Now, I am not a lawyer and cannot give you legal advice, but I will argue that if you have to defend yourself, especially using lethal force, things may go much better for you if you can say that you followed a use of force continuum similar to what the police use to make decisions regarding the use of force. I am going to provide some guidance on how the continuum works at different levels and how you can use it for your self-defense. An example use-of-force continuum is as follows:

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Officer Presence

No force is used. Considered the best way to resolve a situation

  • The mere presence of a law enforcement officer works to deter crime or diffuse a situation.
  • Officers’ attitudes are professional and nonthreatening.
  • The officer has his uniform, badge, and gun to show that he is in charge and not to be messed with.

For you as a civilian, let’s say you are confronted in a parking lot over a space. You have a belligerent guy cursing and shouting at you for whatever reason. You have the option to simply back away from the situation or to just maintain a confident, but nonthreatening attitude and presence that—along with your body posture— lets the guy know that you are ready for action if you need to be and are not intimidated by his actions.

Verbalization

Force is not-physical.

  • Officers issue calm, nonthreatening commands such as “Let me see your license and registration.”
  • Officers may increase their volume and shorten commands in an attempt to gain compliance. Short commands might include “Stop,” or “Don’t move.”

This works well for you, too. Continuing with the parking lot scenario, the guy is walking up to you and threatening you with his words, telling you how he is going to “kick your ass,” if you don’t move your car. At first you may try to calmly talk the guy down asking him to please not continue threatening you. If, however, he keeps approaching you and continues to threaten you as he approaches, you should increase your volume and tell him to “STOP!”, “GET BACK!” and to “LEAVE YOU ALONE.” It would be helpful if this caught other people’s attention so they can be witnesses to what may happen next.

Empty Hand Control

Officers use two types of bodily force techniques to gain control of a situation.

  • Soft Technique: Officers use grabs, holds, and joint locks to restrain an individual.
  • Hard Technique: Officers use punches and kicks to restrain an individual.

Now, the guy in the parking lot reaches out to try to grab or punch you. At this point you have every right to defend yourself because in most states this would now be considered a physical assault (BTW when the guy was shouting at you, that could be considered a verbal assault and is also illegal in many jurisdictions). If you decide to use a soft technique you might use a joint lock to control the attacker and hopefully diffuse the situation.

If the joint lock does not work, you may have to escalate your defensive response (yes, I said defensive because you are protecting yourself and it makes a difference in court) and begin to unleash a barrage of kicks or punches to “stop the threat” (again, an important term used by law enforcement).

Less Lethal Methods

Officers use less lethal technologies to gain control of a situation.

  • Blunt Impact: Officers may use a baton or projectile to immobilize a combative person.
  • Chemical: Officers may use chemical sprays or projectiles embedded with chemicals to restrain an individual (e.g. pepper spray).
  • Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs): Officers may use CEDs to immobilize an individual. CEDs discharge a high-voltage, low-amperage jolt of electricity from a distance.

These are three of the methods I was taught for escalating the amount of force I needed to use if the attacker kept coming. So in our parking lot scenario, let’s say that your opponent is a lot stronger than you or has martial arts training and your techniques are not effective against him. At this point you may feel afraid and even more threatened and feel you need to escalate your defense.

You may retrieve your kubaton from your pocket or purse and use it as your blunt impact weapon. Some people carry mace or pepper spray and you may want to deploy it now (be careful, I have seen many agents and police officers mistakenly spray themselves with their own pepper spray, especially if the wind is blowing. Even when they get the bad guy, they often get some in their own eyes or inadvertently spray their partner.). Some of you may even carry legal tasers and can use them at this point.

Lethal Force

Officers use lethal weapons to gain control of a situation. Should only be used if a suspect poses a serious threat to the officer or another individual.

  • Officers use deadly weapons such as firearms to stop an individual’s actions.

Finally, the situation has gotten very serious and you feel that the attacker is trying to take your life. Just as for agents, you should only use lethal force when your attacker poses a serious threat to you. At this point the guy in the parking lot has you by the throat and is attempting to kill you or has pulled a knife or gun (or any type of weapon for that matter).

At this time, you may have to pull your legally carried knife or gun and use it. Hopefully you are much better with your weapon of choice because you have taken advantage of the excellent training we provide you here at Fightfast.com.

Final Thoughts

It is important for you to understand that this is just one scenario of how the Use of Force Continuum can be used. This entire scenario could go down in seconds and you have to use the information I have provided here and your own judgement to make the correct decision. Hopefully what I have shared today will increase your understanding of the continuum and help you make the right decision.

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102 thoughts on “The Use of Force Continuum for Civilians”

  2. Very helpful. I thought by using the parking lot scenario, it pulled everything in to perspective.

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  4. These short lessons are always welcome, always informative and always correct in so many ways – one small point you might want to emphasize more (although it was mentioned) is the escalation can, and probably will, happen very quickly, so thinking through what you may have to do should be practiced and in your wheel house before it is needed…

    Reply

  5. I have been trained in martial arts. Tae Kwon Do, Haka-Ru Karate Jitsu, Ju Jitsu, and Judo. Fought full contact. Have rubbed elbows with the likes of Virgil Hill and many law enforcement. My very first full contact fight was with the a police officer who is currently the Chief of police where I live. I never take for granted a situation. 99 % of the time force has been unnecessary. Thank you for all the great training videos and info. Awesome !!!

    Reply

  11. Thanks for this. I have started to realize that I can’t afford to not defend myself in these types of situations. This guide helps to not use more force than necessary.

    Reply

  12. I am totally indebted to you,Mr Pierce,and your lessons are not only assisting guys,but us girls too. I just needed for you to know that it is well appreciated and so much moreso because it’s free. And that says a great deal about you. Thanks ever so much,Bob!!!

    Reply

  14. Thank you for the heads up. Always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and possibly avoid the above situation at all.

    Reply

  15. Thanks,Derek! You not only help the average civilian defend their lives,but the law enforcement officer who may fight hand to hand combat moreso than any deadlier weapon with your instructive lessons which may lead to the survival of both perpetrators. ?

    Reply

  17. Thanks for this information data you have provided above. I was in the Army for 21 years and most of my forces revolved around a K-Bar, Bayonet, Boot Knife and M4-A2. Now as a civilian I still have knives and guns back am lacking in my hand to hand skills because as you Guys know that are a use it or lose it skill. I do have some muscle memory moves and positions but need to get back involved with some of my old training and new techniques out there today.

    Reply

  20. Excellent information
    I’m sure the laws vary from state to state though
    Thanks for sharing this knowledge!

    Reply

  21. I have a question
    My question is if you have any information on how to prepare for bounty hunter like gun,self defense and rules of engagement.
    I like all information I have read so far as they were helpful.
    Thank you

    Reply

  24. I really enjoy the tips you are always telling or showing us. You would never believe how much more comfortable I feel when shopping, because of your hel

    Reply

  25. Very helpful information. My experience demonstrated this very escalation in a confrontation at my company. In the end the producing of my firearm settled the robbery without needing to shoot the thief. It can and does escalate very quickly. My thief was released on house arrest and later participated in armed robbery and murder while wearing his ankle monitor.

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  26. I remember when the fire in San Diego back in 2006, if I’m correct, we had to secure many building , whole blocks, from theifs and burglars. For the mist part, there where only two problem. But, having three round in my M16, felt weird. Lucky, I didn’t use them. I know what you mean.

    Fondly,

    Michael

    Reply

  30. As a former Ranger and old school raised force is a very limited option considering our pussy,weak,spoiled country we have now. It takes a strong and survival driven mind to do what has to be done. Period.
    In 1944 we sent 18 year olds to they’re death in war. Now they get upset of someone calls them a name on Facebook.it can be taught, but to execute it is not now in this countries reality. Thanks for all the emails and weapons you send.

    Reply

  32. Thank you for the coaching. I truely hope that the need doesn’t happen. I am old enough to be gone but chose to be at least aware. I just marked the section for recovery of the past episodes. Thank you. My past includes some help if it becomes needed and I only want to be alive after any assault. I plan to follow the plan of avoid and evade. I may be a chicken but I plan to continue as an alive chicken.

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  33. Dear Sirs
    You are pretty much right by military, Law Enforcement, and Civilian EOF or MUOF policies. The best way to avoid a fight is ignore the aggressor, if this fails then step it up a notch. I may be a old man now but not many would want to challenge someone my size. If they do Special Forces, Law Enforcement, and CIA training kick in automatically especially if I take a sucker punch. They will be disabled and on the ground before I feel the full force of the punch. The second I see a weapon things escalate to Lethal force and they will never see it coming. Even witnesses will report all I did was try to push the attacker back with a open hand when he/she suddenly had a massive heart attack. Should the attacker manage to avoid the strike out comes a agency issue fiberglass spike that can be used to penetrate various areas or use the blunt end as a shock weapon to stun them on impact long enough to handcuff him/her.
    I prefer not to use Lethal force as I have to many faces in my dreams every night of targets I had no choice but to terminate. But if someone I love or a innocent is endangered I react on instinct. I prefer to flash my badge and have them walk off grumbling. If I do have to induce a heart attack I do CPR until the medics arrive.

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  35. I am a retired law enforcement officer. 25 years as a Corrections Officer and 7 years as a Deputy Sheriff and I like to congratulate you on your content.

    Reply

  37. You guys excellent at this. Don’t stop, I look forward to your training every day.Thanks A LOT.

    Reply

  38. You guys excellent at this. Don’t stop, I look forward to your training every day.Thanks A LOT.

    Reply

  40. Excellent information gentlemen! Increases in scenero projection most people do not precieve. The examples givin here are excellent and should make one think before action. Thanx again guy’s keep up the great work! V. Mtz.

    Reply

  41. Let’s take your parking lot scene past the short command stage. Say Jack hole swings, or tries to lay his hands on me. I am no longer in flight or fight mode, now its a duck or bleed moment. My keys would still be in my hand, hence parking lot. On my key chain is a compact 5 millon volt stun gun. No way around it, if Jack hole is touching me, I will be zapping myself. But it will be going thru his body first. Now here comes the tricky part, (Lethal Force) so sharpen up and try to pick up what I’m about to lay down. I didn’t come to town to play slap & tickle with ya. Anytime I feel threatened to the point of self defense, for self or family. Lethal force is a gimme, I plan on going home later with the wife and kids. All of us with the same number of holes in our bodies, that we started with that morning. With that being said, let’s get back to Jack hole. A stun gun will work thru clothing, long as the 2 probes are making contact. But for Jack, I would try to make contact to his temple, or forehead. Sort of JiffyPop his graymatter. Could this kill him? Maybe, but if not he will never be right again. And my family will be headed home, with another story to tell our friends about; Our Adventures at Wal-Mart…

    Reply

  42. It seems that if someone is willing to “kick your ass” over a parking space, maybe it’s better to just move your car. It that *really* worth getting into a fight(that you may or may NOT win) over? Besides, if someone is being THAT much of an a-hole, do you want to leave your car there with him around ANYWAY?

    Reply

  44. I acquired one of your pens and think it’s a very useful deterrent which I thankfully haven’t had to use. I do know if it has to be used that the offender will definitely get the point in a hurry. No puns intended. Will have to wait and see.

    Reply

  46. Just wanted to say, howdy and let you know I read most of the emails I get. So, let the guys know to keep up the good work.

    i do read most of the emails

    Reply

  47. I’ve read a lot of you emails &it affirms the training I’enjoyed through my years as a peace officer in thecounty that I’ve served in sworn in for over 34 years. The variety of depths & (P.O.S.T. ) peace officers standard training that we intuitively received, carried me through those years, has also affirmed that common sense is the key to a career of sucess! Thanx for you ongoing , professional & prespective directive of subjects!!!
    Dep. O. Madsen

    Reply

  48. At this time with very limited funds, I haven’t been able to buy any of the great products and training that you offer, but still very much appreciate the instructional freebies that you offer.
    As a semi-retired, OTR truck driver/mover that has had to deal with more than a dozen armed robbery attempts and countless attacks with multiple attackers, I’m a staunch believer in the right to self-defense and the right to bear arms. It seems that we had a target on our backs, since the thugs knew we had to carry a certain amount of cash to run our moving operations, paying labor, etc…

    Even though I’m not driving trucks anymore, I like to try to stay in great shape and practice martial arts for any situations that may arise. I really liked and agree with your “use of force continuum.” Having never read any clear info on the subject, but having thought through exactly when I needed to escalate things to defend myself or others, your points all are clear and rational.

    Using our own situational awareness, any available weapons or training to stop any attacks, as well as having confidence rather than fear in the face of violent aggression all work together to stop most attacks cold. All bullies and evil-doers rely on fear to accomplish their attacks, just letting them know you aren’t afraid throws them off balance. Without the real-time situational awareness, most all self-defense training or weapons are practically useless. Even the baddest and best armed person can be quickly taken down if he’s incapacitated or unaware of the coming attack. No one is immune or invincible!

    Having said all that, because of my experiences and having lived through them without being robbed or having to shoot anyone my four sons are also all firm believers in the necessities of self-defense training, firearms training and situational awareness and half my ten grandchildren also train in martial arts classes. All these things will serve you well in life to help protect you, your family and other innocent would be victims. Just because we are loving people doesn’t mean we have to be afraid of violent thugs or tolerate their evil behavior. I always figured I’d rather the thugs try me than someone else not as well-equipped to deal with it, maybe getting shut-down hard will keep them from going on to their next victim.

    Thanks for who you guys are and what you are doing, in training the next generation of sheepdogs to protect others from those given to violence and evil. May God continue to bless you guys as you continue to do what King David thanks God for in Psalms 144:1 A psalm of David. Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. (NLT)
    I will be back to spend some money when things are better, thanks again!

    I’ll be back to spend some money when t

    Reply

  50. All the “stuff”, information Fight Fast provides is of tremendous value and I am privileged to be a ” member “. Thank you Bob and your team! 410ken

    Reply
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