Acceptable Use of Force by Police Officers
Overview of Recent Supreme Court Decisions
Too often, itseems, news footage shows American law enforcement officers using force toeffect an arrest or defend themselves. The sight of a sworn peace officer, whohas taken an oath to serve and protect, using violence naturally appearsinconsistent and inherently repulsive to any objective viewer who likely knowslittle of the realities of law enforcement. But, when is force excessive? While some critics may be quick to characterizeforce as excessive, the law reflects the realities that officers face in makinguse-of-force decisions. The U.S. Supreme Court recently revisited this issueand provided a significant ruling. In December 2004, the Courtannounced its decision in…
