Police Use of Force Policies Across America – Stanford Center for Racial Justice – Stanford Law School

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Five years after George Floyd’s killing sparked unprecedented demands for police reform, questions persist about the changes that have—and haven’t—been made to American policing. Many Americans may be surprised to learn that policing rules vary significantly across jurisdictions, with stark differences in how officers are permitted to use force. One city may require officers to try de-escalating a traffic stop before using any force, while another city may permit officers to immediately draw their weapons without attempting alternatives.
— Read on law.stanford.edu/2025/06/25/police-use-of-force-policies-across-america/