Can police use force to apprehend a fleeing suspect?

The use of force by police to apprehend a fleeing suspect is governed by the principles of necessity and proportionality. The correct choice indicates that officers are permitted to use force only when the suspect poses a threat to public safety or to the officers themselves, and when less-lethal options have been exhausted. This aligns with the concept of requiring officers to assess the situation regarding the immediate danger posed by the suspect.

For example, if a suspect is fleeing and is armed or has committed a violent crime, officers are justified in responding with force to prevent further harm. However, the emphasis on exhausting less-lethal options first underscores the importance of prioritizing de-escalation and minimizing harm wherever possible.

In contrast, using force in all circumstances, as indicated in one choice, ignores the nuanced legal guidelines that dictate appropriate police conduct. Similarly, suggesting that police can act based purely on convenience disregards the ethical and legal obligations placed on law enforcement professionals to ensure that their use of force is justifiable and measured. Lastly, the notion that officers should not pursue fleeing suspects at all fails to acknowledge situations where there are justifiable reasons to apprehend a suspect to protect the community.