In Graham v. Connor (1989), what standard is used to evaluate police use of force?

• A. Excessive use of force
• B. Objective reasonableness
• C. When officers overextend their legal authority
• D. Verbal and physical

Answer: (B)

The standard being tested is the objective reasonableness standard under the Fourth Amendment, established in Graham v. Connor. This means courts judge whether the force used was reasonable from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, using the information available at the time, rather than applying hindsight. The key is evaluating actions through the lens of the totality of circumstances the officer faced, including how serious the alleged crime was, whether there was an immediate threat to the officer or others, and whether the person was actively resisting or attempting to evade. This approach aims to balance the safety needs of officers with the constitutional rights of individuals. It isn’t simply about labeling an action as excessive after the fact, nor about how the interaction was categorized in verbal versus physical terms. The focus is on whether the officer’s use of force was objectively reasonable given the specific conditions present when the force occurred.