What must law enforcement prove to justify the use of deadly force?

Law enforcement must demonstrate that the use of deadly force was necessary to protect themselves from death or grievous bodily harm to justify its use. This principle is grounded in the concept of self-defense, where individuals (including law enforcement officers) are legally allowed to use force, including lethal force, when they face an imminent threat to their safety or life. The standard requires officers to have a reasonable belief that such a threat exists, which means that their perception must be based on the circumstances they encountered at that moment, not on hindsight.

To justify deadly force, it is critical that the officer can articulate the specifics of the threat they were facing, including the nature and immediacy of the danger. This provision aims to ensure that the force used is proportional to the threat, recognizing the seriousness of taking a life.

In contrast, other factors, while potentially relevant in a broader context, do not independently justify the use of deadly force. For instance, merely feeling threatened does not automatically validate lethal action; officers must show that the threat warranted such a significant response. Similarly, asserting that no other options were available or that approval was given by a superior officer does not align with the legal standards governing the use of deadly force, which center around individual judgment in high