Threat Matrix and Escalation of Force

Many department policies require an escalation of the threat matrix to use more definitive force options. Granted that this may be important for a variety of reasons but Electrical Control Devices (ECD) may have been wrongly implicated in contributing to the metabolic damage of excited delirium. Compared to the struggle and possible substance abuse that preceded the altercation the ECD’s contribution is likely trivial. All too often when the control tactics fail against a subject with superior capabilities or determination, the conflict devolves into an unpredictable brawl that the public will find distressing or potentially escalates to a deadly force encounter.