What is aggressive resistance?

• A. A subject's attacking movement towards an officer that may cause injury but are not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the officer or others.
• B. A subject's calm and cooperative behavior during arrest.
• C. The use of a nonlethal spray to avoid arrest.
• D. A subject's silent compliance.

Answer: (A)

Aggressive resistance is a point on the resistance spectrum where a subject actively attacks or physically opposes the officer, presenting a real risk of injury but not typically causing death or great bodily harm. It goes beyond simply refusing to comply or being verbally resistant, and includes actions like pushing, striking, grabbing, or rushing toward the officer during an encounter. Because the threat is physical and directed at the officer, the response should be proportionate to the risk, aiming to stop the aggression and regain control without escalating to lethal force unless the danger escalates. The other options describe calm, nonresistant, or compliant behavior, which do not involve an attacking movement toward the officer and thus are not aggressive resistance.