What standard must be met for the police to justify the use of deadly force in a situation involving a fleeing suspect?

The requirement that must be met to justify the use of deadly force in a situation involving a fleeing suspect is that the suspect must represent an immediate threat. This standard is rooted in the principle of protecting the lives of innocent people, including the officers involved. Deadly force may only be used when the officer has a reasonable belief that the suspect poses an imminent danger to themselves or others.

This standard is reinforced by case law, which establishes that the use of such force is not justified merely because a suspect is fleeing; rather, the officer must assess the context and determine if the suspect's actions indicate a potential for harm. For instance, if the suspect is armed or has shown violent behavior, that substantially increases the potential threat level. However, if a suspect is fleeing without any indication of being a danger, using deadly force would not meet the justified standard.

Other considerations, such as visibility or prior interactions with the suspect, are not sufficient on their own to justify deadly force. The focus must always remain on the immediate threat posed by the suspect's actions, ensuring that the use of deadly force aligns with the principles of necessity and proportionality in law enforcement practices.