Use of Force
Use of force is the authority of police and other law enforcement officers to physically control people, including with weapons and deadly force. The Constitution, court decisions, and department policies set the limits. Courts, prosecutors, and oversight bodies review cases when force is used.
People usually ask when force is justified, what standard courts apply, how shootings are investigated, how federal agencies differ from local police, and what remedies exist when force is found to be excessive.
An independent team explaining how government works
Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
All Articles on Use of Force
The Fourth Amendment Rules ICE Must Follow—And What Happens When They Don’t
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot Renée Good three times through her windshield in south Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. She was 37…
How ICE Use-of-Force Rules Differ From Other Federal Agencies
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman during an operation in Minneapolis last week. ICE operates under its own use-of-force…