A subject is holding the officer in a chokehold and is actively trying to kill him. What is the level of force according to the MCOLES subject control continuum?

• A. Officer presence/verbal directions
• B. Compliance controls
• C. Deadly force assault
• D. Physical control

Answer: (C)

When the threat level is highest and the officer is at immediate risk of being killed, force must match that danger. In the MCOLES subject control continuum, escalating to deadly force assault is the response to an active, lethal threat. A chokehold with the intent to kill shows imminent deadly harm, so the appropriate level is deadly force assault—the use of deadly force to stop an assault that could cause death. The other options describe less dangerous stages (presence/verbal commands for deterrence, nonlethal compliance or physical controls) and would not adequately counter a kill attempt.