What is considered an example of excessive force?

The use of a taser on an individual who is already restrained exemplifies excessive force due to the principle that force must be reasonable and necessary in the context of a given situation. When an individual is already under control, applying additional force, such as using a taser, is not justifiable. It can escalate a situation unnecessarily and can also lead to serious injury, especially when the person is not posing a threat. The key aspect of determining excessive force is the evaluation of whether the level of force used was appropriate to the circumstances; in this case, it clearly exceeds what is necessary given that the individual is already restrained.

In contrast, employing proper restraint techniques aligns with lawful and appropriate practices. Similarly, using force as a means of self-protection during an arrest is justifiable when necessary to prevent harm. Additionally, injuring someone without provocation is an act that could be classified as excessive force, but it lacks the specific context provided in the scenario of restraining an individual, which makes the taser example more illustrative of the concept.