According to Graham v. Connor, what must be examined to determine excessive force in an arrest?

The determination of excessive force in an arrest, as established by the Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor, hinges on an objective analysis of the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation. This includes considering factors such as the immediacy of the threat posed by the suspect, the necessity of the force used, and the proportionality between the force applied and the severity of the crime committed.

By focusing on the facts of the situation, the court emphasizes the need for law enforcement officers to make split-second decisions in high-stress environments and recognizes that the assessment of excessive force must be based on what a reasonable officer would perceive under similar circumstances. This standard allows for a more fair evaluation of an officer's actions during an arrest rather than relying on subjective feelings or policies that may not fully capture the nuances of real-life events.

In contrast, examining the officer's intent could lead to a subjective judgment that doesn’t account for the situational pressures faced at the moment of the arrest. The severity of the crime does play a role, but it is not the sole factor in determining excessive force. Similarly, while department policies on the use of force are important for guiding officer conduct, they do not solely define what constitutes excessive force in the context of an arrest. Ultimately