California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In the context of use of force, excessive force refers specifically to the application of more force than what is objectively reasonable to achieve a legitimate law enforcement purpose. This concept is critical in law enforcement and correctional settings, where officers must often make quick decisions regarding the level of force necessary to control a situation.

The determination of what constitutes "objectively reasonable" is typically based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, including the threat posed by the individual being confronted, the severity of the crime, whether the person is actively resisting arrest or posing an immediate threat to officers or others, and other situational factors.

In contrast, using minimal force or reasonable force would imply a proportionate response to the circumstances, which does not constitute excessive force. Likewise, the use of no force at all would not apply to situations that require some level of force to ensure safety and compliance. Therefore, the correct understanding of excessive force highlights the importance of proportionality and reasonableness in law enforcement actions.