Which case law governs the use of force by law enforcement officers?

The case law that governs the use of force by law enforcement officers is primarily established in Graham vs. Connor. This landmark Supreme Court case set forth the "objective reasonableness" standard for assessing whether the use of force by police officers is justified. The Court determined that the assessment of the appropriateness of the force used must be made from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, considering the circumstances at hand rather than with the benefit of hindsight.

The ruling emphasizes that the analysis of use of force should consider factors such as the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to flee. This established a framework for evaluating law enforcement conduct in a manner that balances officer safety, public safety, and civil rights.

The other cases listed focus on different legal issues; Miranda vs. Arizona pertains to the rights of individuals in custody, specifically regarding the right to be informed of one's rights during an interrogation. Tennessee vs. Garner deals with the use of deadly force, specifically the circumstances under which police may use such force against fleeing suspects. Plessy vs. Ferguson is a historic case concerning racial segregation laws and does not address use of force in law