What characterizes the force that must be used by law enforcement?

The appropriate characterization of the force that must be used by law enforcement is that it must be "objectively reasonable." This concept refers to the standard used to evaluate whether the level of force applied by law enforcement officers in a given situation is justified. The objective reasonableness standard is important because it takes into account the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than the subjective beliefs or feelings of the officer involved or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

When determining if the use of force was reasonable, courts often look at various factors, including the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest. This standard serves as a guiding principle to ensure that law enforcement uses only the necessary amount of force appropriate to each unique situation, promoting accountability and minimizing excessive force.

"Subjectively justified" fails to establish a measurement outside of the officer's personal perspective and can lead to justifications that do not align with the expectations of reasonable judgment. "Disproportionate" and "randomly applied based on instinct" both suggest uses of force that are inconsistent and could lead to abuses of power, undermining the trust between law enforcement and the