When should lethal force be considered as a last resort?

Lethal force should be considered as a last resort after all alternatives have been exhausted or deemed not viable because this principle aligns with the overall objective of minimizing harm and preserving life as much as possible. The use of lethal force carries significant moral, ethical, and legal implications, and it should only be employed when there is an imminent threat to life that cannot be mitigated through other means.

In practice, this means that before resorting to lethal force, all other potential options—such as de-escalation techniques, verbal warnings, non-lethal measures, or tactical repositioning—should be carefully considered and attempted. The rationale here is to ensure that lethal action is truly necessary, making it a safeguard against unnecessary loss of life and ensuring any use of force is justified within the framework of proportionality and necessity.

This mindset is critical in both military and law enforcement contexts, promoting a culture of restraint and deliberation in high-stakes situations. The objective is to resolve conflicts using the least extreme measures available, maintaining a rigorous standard for when lethal force is justified.