Under what conditions may deadly force be used against a fleeing suspect as outlined in Tennessee v. Garner?

Deadly force may be employed against a fleeing suspect under the conditions outlined in Tennessee v. Garner when there is probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. This landmark case established the legal standard for the use of deadly force in law enforcement, emphasizing the requirement of an immediate threat in order to justify such measures.

The decision asserts that officers cannot use deadly force simply because a suspect is fleeing or has committed a non-violent crime. The justification for using deadly force hinges on the assessment that the individual poses a substantial risk to public safety or the safety of law enforcement personnel. This rule aims to balance the need for officers to apprehend suspects while also safeguarding the rights and lives of individuals involved. The focus on a significant threat ensures that the use of such extreme measures is limited to situations where it is clearly warranted.