What is considered "less-lethal" force?

"Less-lethal" force refers to methods or tools used by law enforcement that are designed to incapacitate a subject without causing fatal injuries. Tasers exemplify this concept, as they can temporarily disable a person through electric shock while minimizing the risk of permanent harm or death compared to conventional firearms. The intention behind using less-lethal methods is to provide police officers with options for control and compliance in situations that do not warrant the use of deadly force, thus aiming to reduce the likelihood of serious injury or loss of life.

The other choices do not encapsulate the term "less-lethal" adequately. Non-impact based force might involve techniques that could still cause injury or distress without necessarily being classified as non-lethal. Actions taken without a weapon could involve a variety of methods, not all of which would be considered less-lethal as they might still carry an inherent risk of death or serious injury. Force in self-defense scenarios can include both lethal and less-lethal responses, so it does not specifically denote the concept of "less-lethal" force.