The Fleeing Felon Rule was established in which legal case?

The Fleeing Felon Rule was established in the case of Tennessee v. Garner, which was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1985. This landmark decision set the standard for law enforcement's use of deadly force against a suspect who is fleeing from arrest. The Court ruled that law enforcement officers may only use deadly force to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect if they have probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. This case emphasized the importance of balancing the need for effective law enforcement with the constitutional rights of individuals, particularly in terms of the use of force.

By establishing these parameters, Tennessee v. Garner significantly altered police policies and practices regarding the use of deadly force, thereby impacting how law enforcement agencies operate across the United States. This ruling underscores the need for officers to assess the immediate threat posed by a fleeing suspect before resorting to lethal options, aligning police conduct with constitutional protections.