Recent incidents resolved with these less-lethal technologies involved an armed and suicidal male suspect in a motel; a major inmate disturbance in a jail; and a confrontation between police and a male, suicidal suspect who was armed with a knife and under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. Police historically have had to use conventional and sometimes obsolete tools. However, concerns about police effectiveness, vendors’ and researchers’ efforts to develop additional markets following downsizing of the military, and newsworthy events regarding police use of deadly force led to efforts to develop less-lethal technology. The most common technology currently used consists of projectiles such as rubber projectiles or shot-filled bags called beanbags. These projectiles inflict pain, but they are not lethal. However, their problems include trajectory degradation and lack of accuracy. Chemical agents such as tear gas and pepper spray are among the oldest and most effective less-lethal options. A new class of chemical agents will be available to law enforcement in the next 24-36 months. Capture nets are another option, but they have serious drawbacks. Other technologies use directed energy, but none appear to have significant advantages over other methods and all have serious problems. Efforts to develop non-lethal options should continue if only to emphasize the importance of dignity and reverence for life. Photographs