4 factors of Graham vs Connor rules to determine level of force justified?

• A. Severity of crime, suspect immediate threat to officers safety, actively resisting arrest, suspect is evading arrest by flight
• B. Severity of crime, weather conditions at the scene, number of officers present, suspect is wearing dark clothing
• C. Age of the suspect, race of the suspect, time of day, location
• D. Proximity to exit, suspect's speed, officer's weapon type, training level

Answer: (A)

Graham v. Connor sets the standard for evaluating use of force as objectively reasonable, judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene with the facts known at the time. To determine whether the force used is justified, four factors are considered: the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of officers or others, whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest, and whether the suspect is evading arrest by flight. These elements guide the proportional response: a more serious crime can justify greater force, an immediate threat supports a protective reaction, active resistance escalates the level of force, and flight signals potential danger or escape. Other factors listed in the choices, such as weather, clothing, demographics, proximity to an exit, or weapon type, are not part of the Graham framework and do not drive the reasonableness determination.