What two criteria are used to judge the appropriateness of force used by an officer during an arrest?

The appropriateness of force used by an officer during an arrest is primarily evaluated based on the criteria of reasonableness and necessity. Reasonableness entails assessing whether the level of force applied is appropriate given the circumstances of the situation, taking into account the perceived threat level and the actions of the individual being arrested. For example, if an individual is actively resisting arrest or poses an immediate threat to the officer or others, the use of greater force may be justified.

Necessity refers to the requirement that the use of force must be essential to the accomplishment of a legitimate law enforcement goal, such as overcoming resistance or preventing harm. This means that officers should only use the amount of force necessary to safely make the arrest and protect themselves and others, avoiding excessive force that is not warranted by the specific circumstances of the encounter.

The other options do not adequately capture the critical factors impacting the use of force in law enforcement. While severity and proportionality play roles in specific contexts, they are more about assessing the level of force compared to the level of threat rather than framing the fundamental standards of judgment. Time and place focus on situational context but do not inherently relate to the appropriateness of force itself. Lastly, judgment and perception are subjective experiences and do not establish