What is the main ruling of Graham vs. Connor regarding police conduct?

The main ruling of Graham vs. Connor centers on the principle that the use of force by law enforcement officers must be reasonable and necessary under the specific circumstances they encounter. This decision established that the appropriate test for evaluating police conduct during an arrest or other seizure of a person should be based on a standard of "objective reasonableness." This means that the actions of the officer are judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the benefit of hindsight.

The ruling emphasizes that the reasonableness of the force used must take into account the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to flee. This standard aims to balance the need for effective law enforcement against the rights of individuals, ensuring that officers act in a manner that is justifiable given the situation they face. Thus, the importance of reasonableness and necessity in determining the appropriateness of force is central to this landmark case.