What options fall under the category of life-threatening situations in terms of force use?

The use of firearms and other deadly force falls under the category of life-threatening situations in terms of force use because these options involve the potential to cause significant injury or death to individuals. In law enforcement, the application of deadly force is typically justified only when there is an imminent threat to the officer's life or the lives of others. This level of force is considered necessary in extreme situations, such as when an officer faces an actively aggressive individual who poses a significant danger.

In contrast, verbal de-escalation techniques, control holds, and officer presence or communication do not involve lethal force and are employed in non-life-threatening scenarios to manage individuals and prevent the situation from escalating. Their primary purpose is to diffuse tension and achieve compliance without causing harm, which highlights the fundamental difference in the level of threat and the appropriate response required in life-threatening situations.