Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

The objective reasonableness test stems from which court ruling?

1. Miranda v Arizona

2. Graham v Connor

3. Tennessee v Garner

4. Roe v Wade

The correct answer is: Graham v Connor

The objective reasonableness test originates from the ruling in Graham v. Connor. This landmark case, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1989, established the standard for assessing whether a law enforcement officer's use of force is excessive under the Fourth Amendment. The court articulated that the appropriateness of the force used by officers should be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, considering the specific circumstances that were present at the time, rather than with the benefit of hindsight. This standard seeks to ensure that officers are judged fairly based on their perceptions during rapidly evolving and often dangerous situations, reflecting an important balance between individual rights and the realities of law enforcement duties. The other cases listed do not pertain to the objective reasonableness test. For instance, Miranda v. Arizona deals with the rights of suspects and the necessity of informing them of those rights, while Tennessee v. Garner addresses the use of deadly force in arrest situations, and Roe v. Wade concerns reproductive rights. Each of these cases has its own significant implications for law and policy, but they do not relate to the principles defining the objective reasonableness standard in policing.