Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

What standard was established by Graham v. Connor (1989)?

1. Absolute force standard for arrests

2. Objective reasonableness standard

3. Intent-based use of force standard

4. Discretionary force policy

The correct answer is: Objective reasonableness standard

The standard established by Graham v. Connor (1989) is known as the objective reasonableness standard. This ruling became a critical benchmark for evaluating excessive use of force claims against law enforcement officers. The Supreme Court held that the appropriate standard for assessing whether a police officer's use of force in making an arrest or during a stop is "objectively reasonable" in light of the facts and circumstances confronting the officer at the time, without regard to their underlying intent or motivation. This standard emphasizes an objective evaluation of the officer's actions, which takes into account the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the crime at issue, 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 by flight. The focus is on what a reasonable officer would have done in the same situation, which helps to provide a balanced approach to assessing police conduct while recognizing the dynamic and often rapidly evolving nature of law enforcement encounters.