What is the one-plus-one theory?

• A. The same level as the subject's resistance
• B. Officers can use one level higher than the level of resistance used by the subject
• C. Two levels higher than the subject's resistance
• D. Two levels lower than the subject's resistance

Answer: (B)

Use-of-force should be proportional to what the subject is doing. The one-plus-one theory gives a simple rule: respond with one level higher of force than the level of resistance the subject is showing. This keeps your response calibrated—you don’t stay at the same level when resistance persists, and you don’t jump straight to the highest level unless the situation warrants it.

For example, if the person is noncompliant but not physically resisting, you’d stay at or move to the next appropriate level (verbal direction, presence, or soft empty-hand techniques) rather than skipping ahead. If the resistance becomes active, you escalate to the next higher level of control or force. The key point is to escalate by one step in the continuum relative to what the subject is doing, rather than two steps higher or lower, ensuring a measured, policy-consistent response.