Use of Force - Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy
Instructors like to honk on about Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy. I'm trying to figure out where this comes from. I've seen instructors say that it comes from Tennessee v. Garner or other decisions. I haven't found it.
Personally, I think it's a bunch of crap. When I teach Use of Force, I already meet two of the elements to use force. I have the ability, because I'm armed. I have the opportunity, because all the students are well within my range for me to shoot them. So it seems to me that Ability and Opportunity are worthless definitions. Jeopardy is the only thing that matters. Is this person attempting to use force against me.
Don't even get me started about Preclusion. Whoever tried to start up that BS should be shot. It's never been required by law in Georgia. Then our legislature had to go and make a law that specifically said that you can stand your ground. My Georgia law book is already too thick, but they keep adding more crap to it. I'm just glad they only meet 40 days a year. Who knows what would happen if the Georgia legislature met year round.
Does anyone know of anywhere this Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy crap comes from?
On a side note, here's an interesting article on Use of Force Continuums and why FLTEC has stopped using them: Use of Force Continuum (podcast). Actually, FLETC has several good podcasts that can be used for law enforcement training: Podcasts. I think they update the Hot Issues one once a month or quarterly.
Crossposted in
ask_a_cop.
Personally, I think it's a bunch of crap. When I teach Use of Force, I already meet two of the elements to use force. I have the ability, because I'm armed. I have the opportunity, because all the students are well within my range for me to shoot them. So it seems to me that Ability and Opportunity are worthless definitions. Jeopardy is the only thing that matters. Is this person attempting to use force against me.
Don't even get me started about Preclusion. Whoever tried to start up that BS should be shot. It's never been required by law in Georgia. Then our legislature had to go and make a law that specifically said that you can stand your ground. My Georgia law book is already too thick, but they keep adding more crap to it. I'm just glad they only meet 40 days a year. Who knows what would happen if the Georgia legislature met year round.
Does anyone know of anywhere this Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy crap comes from?
On a side note, here's an interesting article on Use of Force Continuums and why FLTEC has stopped using them: Use of Force Continuum (podcast). Actually, FLETC has several good podcasts that can be used for law enforcement training: Podcasts. I think they update the Hot Issues one once a month or quarterly.
Crossposted in
ask_a_cop.