Question 9 - Force Continuum

Question: What are the stages of the force continuum /5

Answer:

1. Presence: A show of police presence: uniform, vehicle etc

2. Verbal: Verbal directions given:

- Question – ‘Please leave the scene

- Order – ‘Leave the scene of you will be arrested’

3. Bodily Movement: Use of the body which may cause low levels of harm:

- Walking/ moving people away from the scene

- Tackling/ punching if they become aggressive

4. Less than lethal: Baton, taser, pepper spray etc

5. Lethal: Can cause death/ serious harm – Class 1/2 weapon

Use one level higher than suspects where possible.

Breakdown:

- 5 points – each stage or the continuum, with basic description