ABSTRACT
Under statute, police have the lawful authority to use force. Simply, police use of force is a coercive action to make somebody do something. Police may use different amounts of force to help enforce laws, make arrests, prevent crimes, or defend themselves or others (Gallo, Collyer, & Gallagher, 2008). Forceful responses can range from being present to using weaponry. Using force is central to policing in a society where some people are willing to violate the law. The authority to use force makes policing one of the most powerful professions in society. If left unchecked, such power may lead to problems such as using force excessively or using excessive force.
