a classmate wrote:

Deadly force can only be used when a suspect would likely cause death or serious bodily harm. The officer is allowed to use deadly force only when all lesser means are exhausted and failed. Law states that deadly force can only be used under the following circumstances. It can be used in self defense when the officer believes they are in imminent danger of death or bodily harm, when there is a present of serious harm or death making it necessary to prevent a commission of a serious offense against a person, or preventing the theft of any nuclear material or device or nuclear weapon for sabotage.

Less-than-lethal force is designed to save the lives of the officer involved, the suspect involved and the third party citizens who may be involved in the incident. The force used is not fundamentally designed to kill or cause serious bodily injury. The term Less-than-lethal is reserved for various munitions deployed from higher velocity weaponry like batons, electronic devices and some venues of chemical agents.

Many officers are trained to use less-than-lethal force in situations that have mentally ill suspects, suspects under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and when the suspect is armed with a knife or dangerous object. In large gatherings and riots the officers may use 12 gauge shotgun shells filled with rubber bullets or beanbags. This force has the benefit to reduce injury to the protesters, cut down on legal liability issues, and maintain a buffer zone between the police and the rioters or suspects.

I have to post a response to this ?