Which of the following options would be considered excessive force?

Excessive force is defined as using more physical energy than necessary to control a situation or respond to a threat. The best example of excessive force from the provided choices is verbal abuse of a person in handcuffs. In this scenario, a person who is already restrained poses no threat, and verbally abusing them adds an unnecessary layer of aggression. It does not contribute to safety or the management of the situation but rather serves to harm or belittle the individual.

In contrast, pushing a person out the door while escorting them off a property may be seen as a necessary action to fulfill a security duty, provided the force is measured and appropriate for the situation. Giving a warning about aggressive behavior is a proactive and non-violent approach to de-escalating a potential conflict, which is encouraged in security practices. Lastly, pushing someone away to escape a life-threatening situation, such as an individual with a knife, is not excessive force; it's a necessary reaction to protect oneself from imminent harm.