What does Graham v. Connor establish in terms of use of force?

Graham v. Connor is a landmark Supreme Court case that establishes the standard for evaluating whether the use of force by law enforcement officers is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. The case determined that an officer's use of force must be assessed from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the benefit of hindsight.

This reasonable officer standard emphasizes that the appropriateness of an officer's actions must consider the circumstances they faced at the moment, including the level of threat posed by the suspect and any immediate decisions that the officer had to make. The ruling aims to balance the need for effective law enforcement with the rights of individuals, ensuring that officers are judged not on the perfect actions of a bystander but rather based on what a similarly trained officer would have done in the same situation.

This standard helps to provide clarity and consistency in evaluating use-of-force incidents, ensuring that accountability is maintained while recognizing the complexities officers face in high-stress situations. It effectively guides officers and courts in understanding the dynamics of engagement and the reasonableness of an officer's actions within the context of their duties.