What defines enhanced mechanical force in law enforcement?

Enhanced mechanical force in law enforcement is characterized by its requirement for a greater degree of justification than standard mechanical force, but it does not rise to the level of deadly force. This means that while officers may need to employ more substantial physical techniques or tactics to gain control of a situation, such actions must still be justified in terms of the threat level and necessity for their usage.

This classification is crucial as it provides officers with a framework to evaluate their use of force. Enhanced mechanical force may be utilized in scenarios where a suspect poses a significant, yet not life-threatening, risk—such as actively resisting arrest without posing an immediate danger of death. The expectation is that officers are trained to assess the situation and apply the appropriate level of force that aligns with the guidelines of use of force policies while ensuring accountability for their actions.

Understanding this distinction helps promote a balanced approach in law enforcement, deterring excessive use of force while acknowledging that officers may occasionally need to escalate the force they apply, without resorting to deadly measures.