Which statement best describes the difference between necessity and proportionality in use-of-force decision-making?

• A. Necessity requires that force be required to achieve a legitimate objective, while proportionality requires the level of force to match the threat’s severity; both guide restraint to the least intrusive means.
• B. Proportionality is primarily about speed and timing.
• C. Necessity is about officer safety only.
• D. Proportionality is irrelevant to use-of-force decisions.

Answer: (A)

In use-of-force decision-making, two guiding ideas work together: necessity and proportionality. Necessity asks that you use force only if it’s required to achieve a legitimate objective and that you pursue non-force or less intrusive options if they can accomplish the goal. Proportionality means the level of force used should match the threat’s seriousness and the suspect’s resistance, escalating or de-escalating to stay within what's necessary. Together, these principles push you toward resolving a situation with the least intrusive means possible while ensuring the objective is achieved.

That is why the statement describing both requirements—force being needed to achieve a legitimate objective and the force level matching the threat, with restraint toward the least intrusive option—best fits. The other ideas focus on speed, or single aspects like safety only, or incorrectly treat proportionality as irrelevant, which misses the full balance used in real decision-making.