deadly force
Violence causing death
Deadly force is physical force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.
The term appears most often in legal and law enforcement contexts, where rules govern when such force is justified: Officers may use deadly force only when they reasonably believe their lives are in danger.
Firing a weapon at someone is deadly force; so is striking someone in the head with a heavy object.
- justifiable homicideLegally sanctioned taking of life
- officer-involved shootingLaw enforcement firearm discharge
- firearmsWeapons using explosive propulsion
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
- moral injuryPsychological wound from transgression
trauma · proportionality · hostage situations · knives · public outrage · non-lethal weapons · chokeholds · rules of engagement · explosives · home invasion · batons · stand-your-ground laws · riots · reasonable belief · chemical agents · sniper rifles · police brutality · body cam footage
- policingpatrol, police powers, arrests, police officer, arrest
- Police Forceless lethal, tasers, pepper spray, batons, handcuffs
- police misconductpolice brutality, brutality, misconduct, abuse of power, abuse of authority
- self-defenseself-defense, martial arts, self-protection, karate, pepper spray
- homicide lawhomicide, murder charge, manslaughter, first-degree murder, second-degree murder
deadly forcewarning shot
Intentionally missed shot conveying threat
reasonable force · soft hands · pain compliance · rubber bullets · tasering
deadly forcepeaceful resolution
Conflict ended without violence
de-escalation · negotiation · diplomacy · verbal persuasion · conflict resolution
deadly forceprotective custody
Confinement for someone's safety
rescue · first aid · medical intervention · mercy · clemency
deadly, force, dead, died, deathly, deaden, deadened, deadening, deadness