When escalating the use of force, which factor should an officer consider along with opportunity and jeopardy?

When determining the appropriate level of force to be used in a given situation, the concept of ability plays a crucial role alongside opportunity and jeopardy. Ability refers to the capability of the subject to carry out a threat or harm to the officer or others. This assessment includes evaluating whether the subject has the physical capability or the access to weapons that could elevate the threat level.

Understanding the subject’s ability helps officers gauge the necessity for force escalation. For example, if a subject is unarmed and physically outmatched, the police officer may decide a lower level of force is sufficient. Conversely, if the individual has a weapon or is physically intimidating, the officer would need to consider their ability to inflict harm when deciding how to respond. Evaluating ability thus directly informs the officer's decision-making process about the appropriate level of force and helps ensure the safety of everyone involved.