Which force is used in law enforcement to describe the use of physical options that are less likely to cause harm?

Less-lethal force refers to a range of physical options utilized by law enforcement that are designed to minimize the likelihood of causing serious injury or death while still allowing officers to effectively manage a situation. This type of force includes methods and tools such as tasers, bean bag rounds, and chemical agents, which are intended to incapacitate a suspect without inflicting fatal harm. The use of less-lethal options provides officers with a critical balance between maintaining control over potentially dangerous situations and respecting the risk to life that may be involved.

In contrast, a deadly weapon typically refers to tools or methods that could result in serious injury or death, which does not align with the principle of minimizing harm. The sanctity of human life is an important concept in law enforcement that guides officers to use force judiciously and responsibly, but it does not specifically categorize the types of force available. Finally, the term last resort implies that all other options have been exhausted before using force, but it doesn't define the nature of the force itself. Therefore, less-lethal force is the appropriate term to describe options that prioritize minimizing harm during law enforcement encounters.