What is a key element in defining the use of force in policing?

A key element in defining the use of force in policing is the immediacy and severity of the threat posed. This principle is grounded in the necessity to assess the situation officers face in real-time, allowing them to respond appropriately to threats against their safety or the safety of others. When officers determine the level of force to use, they must evaluate whether the threat they are encountering is immediate and poses a serious risk of harm.

In many situations, law enforcement officers operate under the "reasonable person" standard, meaning they must consider how a reasonable officer would perceive the threat given the circumstances. The immediacy indicates that the threat is active and unfolding, while the severity pertains to the potential consequences of that threat. This evaluation helps ensure that force is used sparingly and only in proportion to the level of threat faced.

Demeanor of the suspect, training received by the officer, and the time of day, while they may influence a situation, do not definitively establish the justification for the level of force employed. These factors may play a role in the overall context but are secondary to the assessment of the specific threats presented at the moment.