Blinding illumination, which an HITPF produces, bleaches out the retina, impairing vision in accordance with the intensity and duration of the exposure to the light. The response of persons exposed to such light may vary; whereas some people will become stationary and compliant to commands, others will close or avert their eyes and continue to walk, run, swing their arms, lunge with an edged weapon, or fire a gun. HITPFs do not involve the application of any physical force or direct pain to gain control or compliance from a resisting suspect. Consequently, they must be placed at the first of seven levels of the use-of-force continuum. This first level is labeled "officer presence," i.e., the police assume control of the suspect through their announced or uniformed presence. The author argues that the HITPF can be used to illuminate a person in a low-lit area, accompanied by the announcement of a police presence. Police agencies must then set policy for an officer's subsequent application of force depending on the various responses of a suspect when exposed to the illumination of the HITPF and the awareness of the officer's presence. 6 notes