Which level of resistance indicates a subject's unwillingness to comply verbally?

The level of resistance that indicates a subject's unwillingness to comply verbally is verbal non-compliance. This type of resistance explicitly involves the subject verbally expressing their refusal to follow commands or requests made by law enforcement or authority figures. It represents a clear verbal indication that the subject is not willing to cooperate, which can escalate the situation if not handled properly. This distinction is crucial in defensive tactics as recognizing verbal non-compliance helps law enforcement officers determine the appropriate response and de-escalation techniques to employ.

While psychological intimidation may involve the use of threats or displays of power to influence behavior, it does not specifically denote a refusal to comply verbally. Similarly, passive resistance refers to non-compliance without physical confrontation—essentially, a subject may choose to ignore commands but not verbally express their defiance. Defensive resistance would imply a physical response to attempts at compliance, which is beyond mere verbal unwillingness. Understanding these levels of resistance helps officers calibrate their responses accurately in various situations.