What defines the act of coercion in law enforcement terms?

Coercion in the context of law enforcement specifically refers to the use of power or authority to compel compliance through intimidation or threats. This definition reflects a scenario where an officer or authority figure exploits their position to influence an individual’s actions against their will, creating a situation where the individual feels compelled to comply due to fear of negative consequences or punitive measures.

In contrast, the other options involve different forms of interaction that do not fit the definition of coercion. Lawful persuasion techniques, for example, are intended to encourage voluntary compliance without the use of threats or intimidation. Offering rewards for cooperation represents a form of motivation that incentivizes positive behavior rather than forcing compliance. Imposing legal penalties for non-compliance pertains to enforcing the law through established legal frameworks, which is a necessary function of law enforcement but does not embody the wrongful element of coercion, where the focus is on exploiting authority rather than applying lawful consequences.