The Continuum of Force model has been used by law enforcement agencies for years, though many agencies across the country are now moving to a different one, a new and improved version called “Force Options.” For the purpose of our discussion here, the Continuum of Force still works nicely.
Police
Force Options and Continuum of Force provide the police with a guideline to follow when they are compelled to respond with force in a situation. To give you a visual, think of the continuum as a ladder with several rungs. Read it from the bottom rung up.
Lethal force (firearms)Impact weapons (batons)Defensive body tactics (hands-on tactics)Pepper spray (A dash of cayenne to shut down the vision and disturb the breathing)Passive control (physically moving a person)Verbal commands (voice commands)Officer’s presence (commanding and authoritative presence)
To give you an example of how it works, I’ll simplify it and make the ladder a little one with just three steps.
On the fist rung, the officer uses his presence and voice commands to control an agitated person.When the subject escalates the situation, the officer moves up the continuum of force to use physical control techniques, such as wrist locks and takedowns, pepper spray, and the police baton.Should the subject threaten or attempt to use a weapon against the officer or someone in the officer’s presence, the officer can escalate all the way up the continuum ladder to lethal force, to include extreme empty hand techniques, extreme baton techniques, or the firearm.
Now, some violent situations occur so suddenly that the officer must bypass the first rung or two on the continuum and immediately use pepper spray or the baton. Some explosive situations necessitate that the officer, within a second or two of contact with a dangerous subject, jump all the way up to lethal force.
Civilians
Civilians should also follow a continuum of force, one that is somewhat similar to that used by law enforcement. Before I get into it, allow me to say that civilians have one primary advantage that law enforcement doesn’t enjoy. When there is an opportunity, civilians can move away from danger; they can run from it. However, law enforcement must move toward the danger. That is a huge difference that many people don’t recognize.
Civilian continuum of force model Here is a simple civilian continuum I devised for discussion. Again, read from the bottom of the ladder up.
Lethal forceHands on with force, including injury, to stop the threatHands on with pain to controlHands on with little or no painStrong presence and firm voiceVoice and presenceAvoid high-risk situations
To help see and understand the levels, let’s use three scenarios in which you respond at the lowest continuum with an erect posture, a neutral expression, direct gaze, and verbiage that leaves no confusion as to it meaning. Then the scenarios are going to get increasingly more dangerous and you’re going to escalate your response in kind.
Avoid high-risk situations
Follow your common sense and avoid dangerous bars, street corners, convenience stores and parks. People often get into trouble because they blunder into situations that, after the dust settles and their wounds heal, they see that their decision was not a wise one. Avoid a problem by not putting yourself into its midst.
You know there is a bully in your school or at your job. While it’s not always easy, do all that you can to avoid being around him and giving him an opportunity to intimidate you. Though you might be able to successfully fight him off, who needs the hassle?You see a street beggar a few yards up the sidewalk grabbing at passersby. Why put yourself at risk? Swallow your pride and cross the street. You will soon forget about it and life will be grand. But should you choose to walk by the aggressive beggar, a situation might unfold that could be costly in terms of your well-being, his well-being, court time, lawyers, and so on.One of your uncles is an obnoxious alcoholic and a pervert to boot. Every time there is a family gathering he grabs at you and says awful things. During the last few family events he has gotten progressively worse. Before the situation explodes, you need to talk to other family members and let them know what is going on. Maybe even tell them that you’re not going to participate in family events as long as he is invited.
Voice and presence
Most high-risk situations – bullies, drunks, road ragers - can be controlled with a commanding presence, an authoritative voice tone, and well-chosen words. Accept the blame for the problem, apologize, and sprinkle lots of “sir” or “ma’am” in your talk.
Most of the time these things work. Those times they don’t work is why we train so hard.
Let’s proceed up the ladder using these same three characters: the bully, the aggressive beggar, and the drunken uncle.
Strong presence and firm voice
A bully reaches for your arm.Standing straight and tall, you look at him sternly and say in a clear, strong voice, “Don’t touch me.”A street beggar approaches you from your side and asks for money.You look directly at him and say in a clear, strong voice, “Not today.”Your drunken uncle at the family party says something inappropriate to you.You look straight at him with a stern expression, and say clearly, “ “Please don’t talk to me that way.”
Hands on with little or no pain
The bully grabs hold of your armYou jerk it away.The street beggar steps in close to block your path and then demands money.You nudge him away with your shoulder or hands.Your drunken uncle at the family party touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable.You grab his hand and push it back toward him.
In such situations, you can use a limited amount of force to escape a grab, clear a path, and knock away an uncomfortable touch. Then you proceed on your way while making quick glances back to watch the person.
Hands on with pain to control
The bully grabs your arm and resists your escape.You quickly maneuver his arm to where you can apply a pressure hold against his elbow.The street beggar steps into your path and slaps his hands on your chest.You knock his arms aside, push him into a wall and apply a control hold on his arm.Your drunken uncle grabs you inappropriately and pulls you into the bathroom.You knock his hands off you and push him down onto the floor.You sit on him and call for others to come and help.
Hands on with force, including injury, to stop the threat
The bully grabs your arm and resists your escape. He reaches for your throat with his other handYou punch him in the chest and kick him in the groin.When you push the street beggar against a wall, he spins around before you can apply a control hold and grabs a stick from his backpack.Since he is blocking your escape route, you kick his knee and follow with a backfist to his ear.Your uncle bucks you off and then tries to climb on top of you.You grab a vase off the cabinet and whack him in the forehead with it.
Lethal force
The bully absorbs your chest punch and groin kick without a flinch and pulls a knife from under his jacket. He lunges at you, nicking your arm.You grab his forearm, press it against his chest and then ram your fingers into his eyes.He screams, his eyes bleeding and squeezed shut in pain. But still he struggles to move the knife toward you.You slam a solid punch into his throat, which crumples him.The street beggar is only slightly phased by your knee kick and ear strike. He pulls an uncapped syringe from his tattered jacket pocket and stabs it at you.You grab his arm and are surprised by his incredible strength. He begins to maneuver the needle so that it pokes into your sleeve.You hammer fist his nose, and then sweep his leg, which drops him onto the back of his head.Hitting your perverted uncle in the head with the vase only makes him more determined. He grabs at you.You twist around so that your weight helps to pin his arms.With his head braced by the cabinet, you slam your knee into his temple to make him release you.
To reiterate, you don’t have to go through all the continuum