What is the standard for determining whether a law enforcement officer has used excessive force?

The "objective reasonableness" standard is the correct approach for determining whether a law enforcement officer has used excessive force. This standard emphasizes evaluating the officer's actions from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, considering the circumstances at the time the force was applied.

This standard accounts for the need for officers to make split-second decisions in challenging situations and balances the officer's need to use force against the constitutional rights of individuals. The key aspect of this standard lies in its focus on what a reasonable officer would have done under similar conditions, rather than on the officer's personal motivation or training. It adopts an objective lens to assess the proportionality of the force used in relation to the threat faced at the moment.

Other options present alternative metrics that do not align with established legal standards for assessing excessive force. The absolute force standard might imply that any deviation from an officer's training could be deemed excessive, which does not consider the variable nature of real-life encounters. The subjective standard centered on the officer's intent does not account for how an observer would interpret the reasonableness of the officer's actions. Finally, the standard of probable cause pertains specifically to the legality of arrest rather than the appropriateness of force used during an arrest or encounter.