Part 5/10:
The Spectrum of Use of Force
Understanding how force is used in policing is crucial. Smith describes the Use of Force Continuum, a guideline that helps officers determine when and how to escalate or de-escalate responses.
On this spectrum:
Weapons at the low-injury end include verbal commands and non-lethal tools like batons and rubber bullets.
Moving up, we encounter more effective but higher-injury options.
At the top are lethal weapons, like guns.
Smith emphasizes that the goal is to shift this balance toward less harmful options—"getting that effect onto the target every single time through clothing reliably"—thus making non-lethal interventions more dependable and safer for everyone.