Which case reinforced the need for probable cause in the use of deadly force by police?

The case that reinforced the need for probable cause in the use of deadly force by police is Tennessee v. Garner. This landmark decision established that law enforcement officers cannot use deadly force to apprehend a fleeing suspect unless they have probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others.

The ruling stemmed from the tragic shooting of Edward Garner, an unarmed 15-year-old, by police officers pursuing him for a burglary. The court determined that the application of deadly force against a fleeing suspect who poses no immediate threat is unconstitutional, emphasizing the importance of a reasonable belief of imminent danger to justify such actions.

This case clarified the circumstances under which police can resort to deadly force and effectively set a standard requiring a higher threshold of justification—probable cause—that must be met to protect both the rights of citizens and the responsibilities of law enforcement officers. This was a significant shift toward ensuring accountability and protecting constitutional rights, especially in the context of use-of-force policies in policing.