Renee Nicole Good/ Alex Pretti/ Minneapolis

via gemini ai doj first the a slight difference with dhs but an agent cannot place themselves in the danger they will later claim as fearing for their life.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) significantly updated its use-of-force policy in May 2022, marking the first major overhaul in nearly 20 years. These guidelines apply to all federal law enforcement agencies under the DOJ, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals.
As of 2026, the core principles of the policy remain centered on de-escalation, the sanctity of human life, and the "objectively reasonable" standard established by the Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor.
Core Principles of the Policy
 * Objectively Reasonable Force: Officers may use only the force that is necessary to gain control of an incident while protecting the safety of the officer and others.
 * De-escalation First: Officers are required to use de-escalation tactics to gain voluntary compliance before resorting to force, provided it is "objectively feasible" and does not increase the danger.
 * Affirmative Duty to Intervene: Officers have a mandatory duty to step in and stop any fellow officer from using excessive force.
 * Duty to Render Medical Aid: There is an explicit requirement for officers to provide or request medical assistance immediately for any person injured during a use-of-force incident.
Key Restrictions & Prohibitions
| Tactic | Current DOJ Policy/Status |
|---|---|
| Chokeholds | Prohibited unless deadly force is authorized (i.e., imminent danger of death or serious injury). |
| No-Knock Warrants | Strictly Limited. Federal agents must "knock and announce" unless they have reasonable grounds to believe it would create an imminent threat of violence. |
| Moving Vehicles | Prohibited to fire at a moving vehicle solely to disable it or if the vehicle is the only threat (unless the vehicle is being used as a weapon to cause death/injury). |
| Fleeing Suspects | Prohibited to use deadly force solely to prevent escape; there must be an imminent threat of death or serious injury to the officer or others. |
Use of Deadly Force Standard
The DOJ defines the use of deadly force as a last resort. It is authorized only when the officer has a "reasonable belief" that the subject poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.
 * Self-Harm: Deadly force should not be used against individuals who are a threat solely to themselves or to property.
 * Verbal Warnings: If feasible, a verbal warning must be given before deadly force is applied.
 * Warning Shots: These are strictly prohibited.
Training Requirements
To ensure these standards are met, all DOJ officers must undergo annual training that includes:
 * Simulated shooting situations.
 * De-escalation techniques.
 * Judgment-based training for less-than-lethal and deadly force scenarios.
Would you like more specific information on how these policies differ for a particular agency like the FBI or the U.S. Marshals?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) use-of-force policy is closely aligned with the DOJ’s standards, following a major update in February 2023. These rules apply to over 80,000 law enforcement officers across agencies like CBP (Customs and Border Protection), ICE, the Secret Service, and TSA.
As of 2026, the policy emphasizes that the authority to use force is a serious responsibility that must be exercised with respect for the "sanctity of every human life."
Core Standards
 * Objectively Reasonable: Force must be "objectively reasonable" under the totality of the circumstances. This is judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with 20/20 hindsight.
 * De-escalation Requirement: Officers must use de-escalation techniques (such as verbal persuasion, tactical repositioning, or creating distance) to reduce the need for force, provided it is "objectively feasible."
 * Proportionality: The level of force used must be proportional to the seriousness of the threat or the resistance encountered.
Key Restrictions & Requirements
| Tactic/Duty | Policy Status |
|---|---|
| Chokeholds | Prohibited (including carotid restraints) unless deadly force is authorized (imminent threat of death or serious injury). |
| No-Knock Warrants | Strictly Limited. Agents must "knock and announce" unless they have reasonable grounds to believe it would create an imminent threat of violence. |
| Moving Vehicles | Highly Restricted. Shooting at a moving vehicle is prohibited unless a person in the vehicle is using deadly force (other than the vehicle itself) or the vehicle is being used as a weapon and no other safe option exists. |
| Fleeing Suspects | Prohibited to use deadly force solely to prevent escape. It is only authorized if the escapee poses an imminent threat of death or serious injury. |
| Duty to Intervene | Mandatory. All DHS personnel have an affirmative duty to step in to stop excessive force and must report it to their chain of command. |
Recent Developments (2025–2026)
 * Medical Aid: There is a reinforced requirement to render or request medical assistance immediately following any use-of-force incident once the scene is safe.
 * USCIS Special Agents: In late 2025, DHS authorized a new class of USCIS Special Agents with the power to carry firearms and use force, bringing them under these same departmental standards for the first time.
 * Body-Worn Cameras: DHS has continued to expand the mandate for body-worn cameras during "pre-planned" law enforcement operations to increase transparency in force incidents.
Agency-Specific Nuances
While the DHS overarching policy sets the "floor," specific components often have additional guidelines:
 * CBP/Border Patrol: Focuses heavily on "kinetic impact" tools and maritime-specific force rules.
 * Secret Service: Includes specific provisions for protective missions where the immediate safety of a protectee may alter the "imminent threat" calculus.
Would you like to see the specific de-escalation tactics listed in the 2023/2024 DHS manuals, or are you interested in a specific agency like Border Patrol?