Which option is NOT part of the objective reasonableness standard's three-prong test?

Which option is NOT part of the objective reasonableness standard's three-prong test?

• A. The severity of the crime
• B. Does the suspect pose an immediate threat?
• C. Is the suspect armed?
• D. Is the suspect actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight?

Answer: (C)

In evaluating police use of force, the key question is whether the force used was reasonable from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the scene, considering the situation as it appeared at the moment. The three factors courts focus on are: how serious the crime is, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat to the officer or others, and whether the suspect was actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight. The status of being armed is not listed as its own factor in this framework. While having a weapon can influence how threatening the situation appears and may affect the assessment under the immediate-threat consideration, it isn’t treated as a separate prong. So, being armed is not part of the three-prong test by itself.

In evaluating police use of force, the key question is whether the force used was reasonable from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the scene, considering the situation as it appeared at the moment. The three factors courts focus on are: how serious the crime is, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat to the officer or others, and whether the suspect was actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight. The status of being armed is not listed as its own factor in this framework. While having a weapon can influence how threatening the situation appears and may affect the assessment under the immediate-threat consideration, it isn’t treated as a separate prong. So, being armed is not part of the three-prong test by itself.