What does "excessive use of force" mean?

The concept of "excessive use of force" refers to the application of force by law enforcement that surpasses what is deemed necessary to effectively control a situation or to make an arrest. This standard is guided by the principle of proportionality, meaning that officers are expected to use only the amount of force that is reasonably necessary to achieve a lawful objective.

In this context, when force is applied, it should be appropriate to the circumstances faced by the officer – taking into consideration factors such as the threat posed by a suspect, the seriousness of the offense, and the behavior of the suspect. When the level of force applied goes beyond what these conditions necessitate, it is considered excessive and can lead to legal or disciplinary actions against the officer involved.

To understand why the other options do not apply: the minimum required force for an arrest is about the appropriate use of force rather than excessive use. Justified force in life-threatening situations does not apply to the definition of excessive use, as such situations may warrant a higher level of force that is still considered appropriate. Lastly, any physical resistance from a suspect does not inherently constitute excessive force, as it can be part of the normal dynamics of an arrest where officers must respond appropriately to resistance.