9.3 Less-Lethal Options

9.3 Less-Lethal Options

Quick Answer: Less-lethal tools give Missouri officers intermediate options between empty-hand control and deadly force. OC spray, batons, conducted energy weapons (CEW/Taser), and specialty impact munitions each have roles, target zones, medical aftercare needs, and policy limits. Use them only when objectively reasonable, warn when feasible, transition tools intelligently, then treat, document, and report.

“Less-lethal” (also called intermediate or less-than-lethal in older materials) means weapons and munitions designed to gain control while reducing the probability of death compared with firearms—not that death is impossible. Misuse, wrong target zones, preexisting medical conditions, and secondary injuries (falls, positional asphyxia) can still kill. Treat every deployment as a force event under Graham.

Why Less-Lethal Exists

Without intermediate options, officers facing active resistance may jump too quickly from hands-on fighting to firearms—or may take preventable injuries trying to muscle every noncompliant person. Less-lethal options:

• Create time and distance to handcuff.
• Reduce prolonged ground fights that injure everyone.
• Offer alternatives when soft empty-hand techniques fail.
• Support de-escalation of force after compliance if the tool stops resistance quickly.

They are not tools of convenience for passive mouthing-off, crowd punishment, or interrogation compliance.

Major Tool Categories (Awareness Level)

Exact authorized tools, holsters, and certification requirements are agency-specific. The MPOLE tests concepts, not every brand manual.

OC / Pepper Spray

Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is widely issued. Knowledge points:

• Effective on many actively resistant subjects; less reliable on highly goal-oriented, intoxicated, or mentally altered persons.
• Wind, HVAC, and confined spaces can contaminate officers, bystanders, and the subject excessively.
• Aftercare: remove from contaminated area when safe, fresh air, cool water flush per training/medical protocol, do not leave the subject face-down and unmonitored while struggling to breathe.
• Do not treat OC as automatic first step for every uncooperative person—especially when handcuffing with backup is reasonably available and safer (see Section 9.4 handbook-style sample).

Baton

Batons (expandable or straight) provide impact and control options:

• Trained primary target zones often include large muscle groups (e.g., legs, arms) depending on curriculum.
• Head, neck, spine, and throat strikes are commonly restricted to deadly-force situations in modern policy because of catastrophic injury risk.
• Batons can also be used for leverage/retention—not only as clubs.
• After strikes, check for injury, document locations of strikes, and seek medical evaluation for significant impacts.

CEW / Taser (Conducted Energy Weapon)

CEWs are among the most tested intermediate tools:

• Probe mode (darts with wire) aims for neuromuscular incapacitation when both probes connect with adequate spread.
• Drive-stun mode is often pain-compliance oriented and may be more restricted by policy.
• Generally framed as appropriate for actively resistant or assaultive subjects when lower force is insufficient and deadly force is not yet justified—not for mere passive noncompliance in many modern policies.
• Contraindication / elevated-risk awareness (training level): elevated risk contexts can include known pregnancy, obvious frailty, running subjects who may suffer uncontrolled falls from height, flammable liquids/fumes (ignition risk), and prolonged or repeated applications without reassessment.
• Aftercare: control and cuff as trained, place in a recovery-capable position, monitor breathing, request EMS when policy or symptoms require, and handle probe removal per medical/protocol rules.

Beanbag and Other Impact Munitions

Specialty impact munitions (beanbag rounds, similar kinetic options) extend less-lethal reach:

• Used by trained officers/teams for barricaded or distance threats where hand tools cannot reach and deadly force is not yet required—or as a step before firearms when reasonable.
• Prefer center mass large muscle aiming points taught in certification; avoid intentional head/neck impacts except under deadly-force rules.
• Every round is evidence; photograph impact sites and injuries; medical evaluation is expected after hits.

Target Zones, Medical Aftercare, and Contraindications

Contraindications awareness does not mean “never act when a high-risk subject is killing someone.” It means you factor risk into tool choice when you have options. Against an active shooter, you do not withhold firearms because a textbook listed a CEW caution.

Warnings When Policy Requires

Many agencies require a warning before CEW or impact munitions when feasible: “Drop the weapon or you will be tased!” Warnings:

• Can produce voluntary compliance (true de-escalation).
• Create a clear record for BWC and reports.
• Are not required when they would increase danger (subject already charging with a knife at contact distance; warning would cost the only reaction window).

If policy says “warn when feasible,” your report should either quote the warning or articulate why it was not feasible.

Escalation and De-escalation Between Tools

Force options are a menu, not a one-way ratchet.

Escalate example: Soft empty hand fails → subject begins striking → CEW or baton may become reasonable → if subject produces a firearm, deadly force may become reasonable.

De-escalate example: CEW gains control → subject cuffed and compliant → stop drive-stuns/additional cycles → move to aftercare and transport planning.

Failed tool ≠ automatic firearm. If OC fails on a fleeing unarmed shoplifter, you do not shoot; you pursue, use empty-hand/CEW per policy, or set a perimeter. If a baton strike fails and the subject fires a gun, the threat—not the baton’s failure alone—drives the firearm decision.

Transition training also covers weapon confusion (drawing the wrong tool under stress) and cross-contamination (OC on your hands then touching your eyes). Practice under DT hours builds those motor patterns; the written exam checks whether you understand the judgment layer.

Evidence and Reporting After Less-Lethal Use

After the scene is safe:

1. Secure the subject and the scene; watch for additional suspects.
2. Medical: decontamination, EMS, hospital as required; note refusals.
3. Evidence: OC canister identity if relevant; CEW cartridge, wires, probes, and AFID confetti; baton if damaged; spent impact munitions; BWC footage; photos of target distances and injuries.
4. Statements: subject complaints of injury; witness accounts.
5. Report: tool used, number of applications/cycles, target areas, warnings, effectiveness, Graham facts, medical steps, supervisor notification.
6. Supervisor / IA / state reporting pathways per agency and DPS-related use-of-force data expectations.

Incomplete less-lethal reporting is a frequent professional failure: “Subject tased” without probe placement, cycle count, or post-care invites liability even when the force was justified.

Integrating With Officer Safety

Less-lethal is not a substitute for:

• Cover and concealment against firearms threats.
• Backup on high-risk warrants.
• Handcuffing and searching once control is gained.
• Recognizing when the incident has become a deadly force problem.

Carry, maintain, and qualify with issued tools. An empty OC canister or uncharged CEW at the wrong moment is an officer-safety failure created long before the call.

Common Exam Traps

• Using CEW/OC as default punishment for passive resistance when policy reserves them for higher resistance.
• Ignoring medical aftercare and breathing monitoring after OC or CEW.
• Striking the head with a baton for low-level resistance.
• Believing “less-lethal” means no risk of death.
• Failing to reassess after a tool fails or succeeds.

Master the role of intermediate options, their limits, aftercare, and reporting—and you will correctly answer the bulk of Missouri less-lethal judgment items.