When must police use of force cease?

The requirement for police to cease using force is fundamentally grounded in the principle of proportionality and necessity in law enforcement actions. When a suspect stops resisting, the use of force is no longer justified. Law enforcement officers have the authority to use force to the extent necessary to achieve their objective, which might include restraining an individual who poses a threat to themselves or others or subduing someone who is actively resisting arrest.

Once the suspect has stopped resisting, any further use of force typically becomes unreasonable and potentially unlawful, as the level of threat has diminished. This guides officers to ensure their actions are in line with legal and ethical mandates, promoting accountability and protecting the rights of individuals.

In comparison to the other scenarios: simply making an arrest does not inherently mean that all force must cease; a suspect may still pose a threat or resist. Waiting for a suspect to surrender may be impractical in dynamic situations. The arrival of backup, while beneficial for officer safety, does not automatically justify continued use of force against a compliant suspect. Therefore, the cessation of force should occur when the suspect has clearly stopped resisting.