Which is the third prong of the objective reasonableness standard's three-prong test?

Which is the third prong of the objective reasonableness standard's three-prong test?

• A. Is the suspect unarmed?
• B. Is the scene secure?
• C. Is the suspect actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight?
• D. Is the suspect cooperative?

Answer: (C)

The question tests the third part of the three-factor test for objective reasonableness, which asks whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight. In evaluating use of force, courts consider the totality of the circumstances and typically weigh three things: how serious the crime is, whether there is an immediate threat to the officer or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting or trying to flee. The third factor directly looks at the suspect’s behavior—resisting arrest or trying to escape—as a basis for justifying a greater level of force if needed. The other options don’t fit as the prongs: being unarmed is a separate consideration about threat level but not one of the three listed prongs; whether the scene is secure or whether the suspect is cooperative are not part of the three-prong framework.

The question tests the third part of the three-factor test for objective reasonableness, which asks whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight. In evaluating use of force, courts consider the totality of the circumstances and typically weigh three things: how serious the crime is, whether there is an immediate threat to the officer or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting or trying to flee. The third factor directly looks at the suspect’s behavior—resisting arrest or trying to escape—as a basis for justifying a greater level of force if needed.

The other options don’t fit as the prongs: being unarmed is a separate consideration about threat level but not one of the three listed prongs; whether the scene is secure or whether the suspect is cooperative are not part of the three-prong framework.