Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) Practice Exam 2025

What is considered excessive force?

1. Using more than necessary to control a situation

2. Any physical contact with a subject

3. Only actions involving weapons

4. All forms of verbal confrontation

The correct answer is: Using more than necessary to control a situation

Excessive force refers to the use of an amount of force that surpasses what is reasonable and necessary to control a situation. This concept is pivotal in law enforcement and security practices, as it emphasizes the importance of measured and appropriate responses to threats or disturbances. Using more than necessary to control a situation can lead to various negative consequences, including legal repercussions, injury to individuals involved, and damage to public trust in security personnel. Training emphasizes the need to assess situations carefully and to use only the level of force that is necessary to achieve compliance or ensure safety, thereby highlighting the significance of de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution. In contrast, the other choices suggest misunderstandings about what constitutes excessive force. Merely having physical contact with a subject, for instance, does not inherently qualify as excessive force; it depends on the context and the amount of force applied. Actions involving weapons may be considered appropriate in some scenarios but can also lead to excessive force claims if not justified. Lastly, verbal confrontations, while potentially escalating a situation, do not fall under physical force categories and therefore do not relate to the definition of excessive force in the same manner.