Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §106, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A.__For purposes of subsection 1, "reasonable degree of force" is an objective standard.__To constitute a reasonable degree of force, the physical force applied to the person may result in no more than transient discomfort or minor temporary marks on that person.

Sec. 2. 17-A MRSA §106, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is amended to read:

4. The justification extended in subsections 1, 2 and 3 does not apply to the purposeful intentional or reckless use of force that creates a substantial risk of death, serious bodily injury, or extraordinary pain.

Sec. 3. 17-A MRSA §107, as amended by PL 1995, c. 215, §§2 and 3, is further amended to read:

§107. Physical force in law enforcement

1. A law enforcement officer is justified in using a reasonable degree of nondeadly force upon another person:

A. When and to the extent that he the officer reasonably believes it necessary to effect an arrest or to prevent the escape from custody of an arrested person, unless he the officer knows that the arrest or detention is illegal; or

B. To defend himself or herself or a 3rd person from what he the officer reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful nondeadly force encountered while attempting to effect such an arrest or while seeking to prevent such an escape.

2. A law enforcement officer is justified in using deadly force only when he the officer reasonably believes such force is necessary:

A. To defend himself or herself or a 3rd person from what he the officer reasonably believes is the imminent use of unlawful deadly force; or

B. To effect an arrest or prevent the escape from arrest of a person when the law enforcement officer reasonably believes that the person has committed a crime involving the use or threatened use of deadly force, is using a dangerous weapon in attempting to escape or otherwise indicates that