What does the ruling in Tennessee v. Garner (1985) establish about the use of deadly force?

The ruling in Tennessee v. Garner (1985) is significant as it addresses the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers when dealing with fleeing suspects. The case established that police officers may use deadly force against a fleeing suspect only if the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical harm to the officer or others.

Option C accurately reflects the ruling by stating that deadly force may be used against unarmed and fleeing suspects if necessary. This means that, while officers can consider using deadly force, it must be justified by the circumstances—specifically, the threat level posed by the suspect. Importantly, the ruling does not permit indiscriminately using deadly force against every fleeing suspect; there needs to be a clear and present danger.

This ruling fundamentally changed the way law enforcement agencies approach situations involving fleeing suspects, ensuring that the use of deadly force is a carefully considered decision rather than a routine response. It emphasizes the need for assessing the context and ensuring that any application of deadly force is necessary and proportional to the threat faced.