What precedent was set by the case Graham v. Connor regarding police actions?

The case of Graham v. Connor established that the evaluation of police use of force must be based on the standard of "objective reasonableness" under the Fourth Amendment. This landmark decision emphasized that when assessing whether a police officer's use of force was excessive, courts should consider the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than using hindsight or the officer's subjective intentions. This framework acknowledges the often chaotic and rapidly evolving nature of law enforcement situations, requiring officers to make split-second decisions.

The objective reasonableness standard assesses the facts and circumstances confronting the officer at the time, taking into account the severity of the crime, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat to safety, and whether the suspect was actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. This precedent serves to balance the need for effective law enforcement with the protection of individual rights, ensuring that officers are not held to unrealistic standards that do not reflect the realities of police work.