...Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND The terms less-than-lethal, less lethal, and non-lethal are frequently and inappropriately used interchangeably. Almost anything can become lethal if used improperly or if circumstances are extremely unlucky; weapons that are considered to be of Non-Lethal force only decrease the odds of deadly injury. The court addresses the use of less lethal force in the “objective reasonableness standard,” where questions regarding excessive use of force are to be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer coping with a tense, fast-evolving situation. (Graham, Conner, 2009) This revised standard alleviates some of the “Monday morning quarterbacking” that would otherwise result and respects that officers possess sound judgment skills. (Graham, Conner, 2009) In some arrest situations and other law enforcement activities, the use of force may be required to protect the safety of the officer or the public. Occasionally, the threat to an officer or the public justifies the use of deadly force an amount of force that is likely to cause either serious bodily injury or death to another person. (Graham, Conner, 2009) When use of force is required, but deadly force may not be appropriate, law enforcement officers may employ less-lethal weapons to gain control of a subject. Less-lethal weapons are designed to induce a subject to submit or to comply with directions. These weapons give law enforcement officers the ability to protect the safety of...
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