What are defensive tactics primarily designed for?

Defensive tactics are primarily designed to manage situations where individuals exhibit aggression or resistance. This involves the implementation of techniques that allow correctional and probation officers to safely control a subject without causing undue harm to themselves or the individual involved. Such tactics are essential in maintaining order and ensuring safety in potentially volatile situations, enabling an officer to employ physical measures that effectively mitigate threats while adhering to legal and ethical standards.

The focus on handling aggression or resistance means that these tactics are specifically tailored for scenarios where an individual may pose a danger to themselves, the officer, or others nearby. Consequently, the training in defensive tactics equips officers with the skills necessary to apprehend or restrain a subject as needed, ensuring the safety of all parties and allowing for the proper execution of their duties.

In contrast, the other options relate to aspects that are not directly tied to the primary function of defensive tactics. Legal documentation, verbal confrontations, and communication with offenders are important facets of an officer's role but do not encompass the core purpose of defensive tactics, which exists chiefly to address physical confrontations.