What does the Graham v. Connor case establish?

The Graham v. Connor case establishes the "objective reasonableness" standard for evaluating the use of force by law enforcement officers. This standard is crucial as it provides a framework for assessing whether an officer’s actions during an encounter are reasonable in light of the circumstances they faced at the time. The court determined that the assessment of reasonableness must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene rather than with the benefit of hindsight.

This case is significant because it emphasizes the importance of an officer's perception of threat and the immediacy of the situation they are managing. Factors such as the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to officer or public safety, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest all play key roles in this assessment.

The ruling has had lasting implications on how law enforcement agencies train their personnel regarding the use of force, ensuring that officers understand the critical nature of making split-second decisions under potentially dangerous conditions while being held accountable to a constitutional standard.