What does 'active resistance' mean in the context of use of force?

In the context of use of force, 'active resistance' refers to behaviors exhibited by a subject that can pose a threat to the safety of law enforcement officers or impede their efforts to make an arrest. This type of resistance involves actions such as physically trying to evade arrest, attempting to flee, or otherwise actively opposing the officers’ commands.

Active resistance is characterized by a level of engagement where the subject is not simply disobeying commands quietly but is instead actively working against the police officers’ efforts. This resistance can escalate the situation, requiring officers to assess the level of force necessary to safely and effectively gain compliance or control.

The other options, such as voluntary compliance and cooperation, indicate a willingness to follow officers' commands, while passive disobedience suggests a refusal to act without escalating the situation. These behaviors do not constitute active resistance as they do not involve direct threats to the officers or hinder arrest efforts actively.