Control holds and OC spray are examples of which force category?

• A. No force.
• B. Moderate force.
• C. Deadly force.
• D. Discretionary force.

Answer: (B)

Moderate force sits between verbal commands (no force) and using weapons or actions that could cause serious injury. Control holds physically restrain a person and OC spray temporarily incapacitates, both aimed at gaining or maintaining control with lower risk of serious harm. They’re not no force, since they involve a physical or chemical means; they’re not deadly force, since they’re not intended to cause death or serious injury. Discretionary force refers to the decision to apply force, not to a specific level or type of tool, so it doesn’t fit as neatly. So these techniques are best understood as moderate (intermediate) force.