Tennessee v. Garner established a standard regarding deadly force. Which statement best reflects that standard?

Tennessee v. Garner established a standard regarding deadly force. Which statement best reflects that standard?

• A. Deadly force may not be used against a fleeing unarmed felon who is not an immediate threat.
• B. Deadly force may be used against any fleeing suspect if the pursuit lasts long enough.
• C. The Fourth Amendment does not apply to use of force in pursuits.
• D. Deadly force may always be used against a fleeing felon who is armed.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the use of deadly force to prevent a suspect’s escape is limited by the Fourth Amendment and must be tied to an imminent threat. Tennessee v. Garner holds that an officer may not use deadly force simply to prevent a fleeing suspect from escaping; deadly force is permissible only if the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily harm to the officer or others. This means the Fourth Amendment does apply to use of force in pursuits, and the force must be reasonable in light of the threat. So, a fleeing unarmed felon who does not present an imminent threat cannot be subjected to deadly force.

The key idea is that the use of deadly force to prevent a suspect’s escape is limited by the Fourth Amendment and must be tied to an imminent threat. Tennessee v. Garner holds that an officer may not use deadly force simply to prevent a fleeing suspect from escaping; deadly force is permissible only if the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily harm to the officer or others. This means the Fourth Amendment does apply to use of force in pursuits, and the force must be reasonable in light of the threat. So, a fleeing unarmed felon who does not present an imminent threat cannot be subjected to deadly force.