The case establishing the objective reasonableness standard in use of force is:

The case establishing the objective reasonableness standard in use of force is:

• A. Tennessee v Garner
• B. Armstrong v Pinehurst
• C. Graham v Connor
• D. Johnson v Glick

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how use-of-force decisions are judged under an objective standard. The case that establishes this is a Supreme Court ruling that says the reasonableness of any use of force must be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, given the facts known at the time, and considering the totality of circumstances. This means the test isn’t about what a perfectly informed judge would think after the fact or about rigid rules. It’s about whether a reasonable officer would have acted as they did under the specific situation, taking into account factors like how serious the crime was, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, if the officer or others were in danger, whether the person resisted or tried to flee, how many officers were present, and what options might have been available to de-escalate. The standard applies across all levels of force, from minimal contact to lethal force, and it allows for different answers in different scenarios because it’s grounded in real-time assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.

The main idea being tested is how use-of-force decisions are judged under an objective standard. The case that establishes this is a Supreme Court ruling that says the reasonableness of any use of force must be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, given the facts known at the time, and considering the totality of circumstances.

This means the test isn’t about what a perfectly informed judge would think after the fact or about rigid rules. It’s about whether a reasonable officer would have acted as they did under the specific situation, taking into account factors like how serious the crime was, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, if the officer or others were in danger, whether the person resisted or tried to flee, how many officers were present, and what options might have been available to de-escalate. The standard applies across all levels of force, from minimal contact to lethal force, and it allows for different answers in different scenarios because it’s grounded in real-time assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.