What standard did Graham v. Connor establish regarding the use of force by police officers?

The standard established by Graham v. Connor is known as "objective reasonableness." This key principle emphasizes that the use of force by police officers must be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, taking into account the circumstances they faced at the moment of the incident. The Supreme Court's ruling highlighted that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged based on the facts and circumstances of each case, rather than with hindsight or based on the outcome of the situation.

This framework is crucial for law enforcement as it balances the necessity of taking quick action in potentially dangerous situations with the rights of individuals. It provides law enforcement officers with the guidance needed to make split-second decisions while also setting a standard for accountability regarding the appropriateness of their actions during confrontations with suspects.

The other concepts, such as reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and excessive force, are related to different aspects of legal standards in policing and do not directly encapsulate the principle laid out in Graham v. Connor. Reasonable suspicion pertains to the belief that a person is involved in criminal activity and is lower than probable cause, which is required for obtaining search warrants or arrests. Excessive force relates to the use of more force than is necessary,