What does "reasonable or necessary force" refer to in law enforcement?

"Reasonable or necessary force" in law enforcement specifically refers to the physical coercion that is adequate to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective, while also being proportionate to the threat faced. This principle is grounded in the legal standards that govern police use of force and emphasizes that officers may only use the amount of force required to handle a specific situation or to apprehend an individual when necessary.

For instance, if an officer encounters a suspect who is non-compliant but not posing an imminent danger, using physical force that exceeds what is necessary to manage the situation would not align with this standard. The concept is designed to ensure that law enforcement actions remain justifiable and do not escalate unnecessarily, thereby protecting both the rights of individuals and the integrity of law enforcement.

The other options present ideas that deviate from this balanced approach. Maintaining order does involve the use of force, but it doesn't specifically address the need for this force to be necessary and proportionate. The notion of "maximum level of force" implies a ceiling that may not align with what is actually required in varied circumstances, while the idea that force is justified under any circumstances is fundamentally at odds with legal principles of necessity and proportionality in law enforcement practices.