Which standard is used to evaluate police use of force, as per Graham v. Connor?

• A. Objective reasonableness
• B. Strict liability
• C. Probable cause
• D. Beyond a reasonable doubt

Answer: (A)

Judging police use of force hinges on objective reasonableness. In Graham v. Connor, the Supreme Court held that the proper standard is what a reasonable officer on the scene would have believed and done, given the information available at the time. This assessment looks at the totality of the circumstances from the officer’s vantage point, not with the benefit of hindsight. Consider factors like the seriousness of the alleged offense, the immediacy and severity of the threat, and whether the subject is actively resisting or attempting to flee. The question is whether the level of force used was reasonable in that moment to protect the officer and others. It’s not about fault in a strict sense, nor about proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, nor about probable cause—the latter two relate to other legal questions and contexts.