What are the legal limits on the use of force by law enforcement?

The legal limits on the use of force by law enforcement are grounded in the principles of reasonableness, necessity, and proportionality. Law enforcement officers are permitted to use force in the performance of their duties, but this force must be appropriate to the situation they are facing.

Reasonableness is a key standard, meaning that the amount of force used should match the level of threat presented by a suspect or situation. Necessity refers to the idea that force should only be applied when it is needed to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective, such as protecting oneself or others, making an arrest, or preventing the escape of a suspect. Proportionality requires that the force applied does not exceed what is necessary to handle the threat. Together, these principles help to ensure that officers use only the amount of force that is justified based on the circumstances, thereby protecting the rights of individuals and maintaining public trust in law enforcement.