Force may only be used to affect a custodial arrest.

• A. Force may only be used to affect a custodial arrest. (myth)
• B. Force may be used to prevent imminent harm to a bystander as well as to affect arrest.
• C. Force may be used to defend property alone.
• D. Force cannot be used unless the suspect is physically restrained.

Answer: (A)

Force use is situational and purpose-driven, not limited to just making an arrest. Officers may use reasonable force to affect an arrest, but they may also use force to prevent imminent harm to bystanders or to protect themselves and others from threats. Declaring that force can only be used to affect a custodial arrest narrows a real and necessary set of options and ignores the duty to protect life and safety in the moment. Because the statement falsely restricts the legitimate purposes for force, it’s a myth. In practice, the emphasis is on reasonableness and necessity—use the minimum force needed, and escalate or de-escalate as the situation requires.