When is it appropriate for a law enforcement officer to use force?

It is appropriate for a law enforcement officer to use force primarily when defending themselves or others from imminent harm. This is rooted in the necessity to protect life and ensure safety in situations where there is an immediate threat. Law enforcement officers are trained to assess threats in real-time and respond accordingly to mitigate danger, which emphasizes the importance of the protection of human life as the foremost responsibility of an officer.

While preventing escape or responding to a suspect's uncooperativeness may sometimes warrant the use of force, such situations are not universally justified and must be evaluated against the principles of necessity, proportionality, and reasonableness. Force should never be a response simply to noncompliance without a risk to safety. Therefore, the use of force is most valid and justifiable when it is in direct response to an immediate threat of harm to oneself or others.