According to the MCOLES subject control continuum, what level of force is used when an officer deploys a taser on a subject?

• A. Intermediate controls
• B. Deadly force
• C. Verbal commands
• D. Lesser force

Answer: (A)

On the MCOLES subject control continuum, a taser is categorized as intermediate controls. This places it above verbal commands and basic hands-on techniques, reflecting more force than purely non-physical strategies, but below deadly force. A taser is designed to temporarily incapacitate without causing fatal harm, which is why it sits in the middle rather than at the extremes of the spectrum. While some describe it as less-lethal, the official continuum label identifies it as intermediate controls, acknowledging its role as a controlled, non-deadly option used when de-escalation and lower-level tactics are insufficient.