Excessive repetition; if we have exhausted our verbal options and there is no compliance forthcoming, what is required?

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When verbal commands and de-escalation have been exhausted and the person still resists or poses a threat, taking action to gain compliance is required. This aligns with using the force continuum: after words and time-based strategies have been tried, you move to the next appropriate level of response to ensure safety and control. The action should be a proportional, trained response—starting with the next step in the continuum and using the least amount of force necessary to achieve the objective.

Documentation and supervisor involvement are important parts of the incident process, but they don’t address the immediate risk in front of you. Verbal de-escalation alone isn’t sufficient once there is continued noncompliance and danger; waiting indefinitely isn’t appropriate. Action is what moves the situation toward safety, with subsequent reporting and review following the encounter.