When Police Use Force
G.L. c. 6E, § 14 — de-escalation first, force only as necessary and proportionate, and no chokeholds
In Massachusetts, a law enforcement officer does not use physical force on a person unless de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are not feasible on the totality of the circumstances, and the force is necessary to make a lawful arrest or detention, to prevent an escape from custody, or to prevent imminent harm in proportion to the threat.
Deadly force only against imminent harm. An officer does not use deadly force unless de-escalation has been attempted and failed or is not feasible, and the force is necessary to prevent imminent harm to a person and proportionate to that threat.
- An officer does not use a chokehold, and is not trained to use a neck restraint that limits breathing or blood flow.
- An officer does not fire at a fleeing vehicle unless necessary to prevent imminent harm to a person and proportionate to it.
- Tear gas or other chemical weapons, rubber pellets, or a dog are not used to control a person's behavior unless de-escalation has failed or is not feasible and the measure is necessary and proportionate to imminent harm.
When a department knows in advance of a planned mass demonstration, it tries in good faith to talk with the organizers about logistics and avoiding conflict, and designates an officer in charge of de-escalation planning.
This is the statute, not an assessment. Whether any particular use of force was necessary and proportionate, and what claim may follow, turn on facts and on law the section does not contain. A licensed Massachusetts attorney is who answers them.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 6E, § 14 — Use of force by law enforcement officers
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.