What is Active Resistance?

• A. Non-threatening compliance
• B. Verbal complaints only
• C. Passive avoidance
• D. Behavior which physically counteracts an officer's control efforts and which creates risk of bodily harm

Answer: (D)

Active Resistance is when a person uses physical actions to counteract an officer's control attempts, creating a risk of bodily harm to the officer or themselves. It goes beyond merely verbal objections or passive avoidance and involves deliberate movements that try to defeat or escape the officer’s hold, such as pulling away, twisting, kicking, or grabbing onto equipment. This distinction matters because it signals a shift from non-threatening behavior to actions that increase danger, requiring immediate and proportionate safety responses to protect everyone involved.