What is a major outcome of Graham v. Connor?

The case of Graham v. Connor is significant in that it established the standard for evaluating the use of force by law enforcement officers. The Supreme Court ruled that the use of force must be assessed under the Fourth Amendment's "objective reasonableness" standard. This means that an officer’s actions must be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene at the time of the incident, rather than with the benefit of hindsight. The ruling emphasizes that the need to make split-second decisions in tense and rapidly evolving situations must be taken into account in determining whether the use of force was excessive.

This case effectively set the groundwork for how officers are expected to understand and apply the use of force in various situations, impacting police practices and training across the nation. Consequently, it became a cornerstone of legal standards governing law enforcement's response to perceived threats.