Civil Service Supervisor Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The main criterion established in Graham vs. Connor centers on the reasonableness of the force used by law enforcement officers in relation to the suspect's behavior. This ruling emphasizes that officers must evaluate the circumstances surrounding each encounter, taking into account the level of resistance or threat posed by the suspect at that moment.

The standard of "reasonableness" is determined by what a reasonable officer in the same situation would perceive and how they would respond. Factors such as the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest contribute to this assessment.

This criterion aims to strike a balance between the need for law enforcement to maintain control and safety during encounters and the need to protect citizens' rights from excessive force. The focus on reasonableness means that the actions of the officer are evaluated with respect to the context, rather than relying solely on predetermined standards or individual biases.