Final answer:
Police officers are required to use a reasonable level of force according to the situation, guided by laws and a use-of-force continuum. Usage of force must be balanced, necessary, and proportional to the resistance or threat encountered. Excessive force can have serious legal and disciplinary consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Use of Force by Police Officers
While police officers have the authority to enforce laws and ensure public order, they are not allowed to use 'whatever level of force they desire' in physical confrontations. Instead, officers are required to adhere to the principle of reasonable force. This concept is part of the police's use-of-force continuum that guides an officer in applying the appropriate level of force, based on the situation.
For example, in scenarios where a suspect is violent or poses an immediate danger to the officer or others, an officer may be justified in using more forceful measures such as tasers or physical restraints. Nevertheless, situations that are non-violent or where compliance is gained through verbal commands require far less force.
Legal precedents like Terry v. Ohio offer guidance on when it's permissible for an officer to detain and frisk a suspect, ensuring they do not violate constitutional rights. Furthermore, high-profile cases such as the Rodney King incident have brought greater scrutiny to the use of force by law enforcement. The expectation is that police conduct should always be balanced, necessary, and proportional to the threat or resistance encountered. Moreover, instances of excessive force can lead to disciplinary action, legal consequences for the offending officer, and erode public trust in law enforcement.