What is the standard for determining 'reasonable force'?

• A. The officer's personal belief.
• B. The suspect's beliefs.
• C. An objective standard based on what a reasonable officer would deem appropriate under the circumstances.
• D. The most aggressive option.

Answer: (C)

The standard for determining reasonable force is an objective one: what a reasonably trained officer would deem appropriate under the circumstances. This means the evaluation looks at the facts known to the officer at the time, considering the total situation, including the level of threat, the level of resistance, the severity of the suspected crime, and whether there were viable alternatives or de-escalation options. The decision is judged by professional standards and training, not by the officer’s personal beliefs or the suspect’s beliefs, and not by the outcome after the fact. The rule embodies proportionality and necessity, so force used should be commensurate with the threat and reasonably necessary to achieve a legitimate objective. This is the standard established in Graham v. Connor, which frames reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, with 20/20 hindsight set aside.