According to the 4th Amendment and Graham v. Conner, is it necessary to use only minimal force to gain compliance?

The reasoning behind the correct answer is centered on the standard established by the 4th Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the precedent set by the Supreme Court case Graham v. Conner. This case introduced the "objective reasonableness" standard, which allows law enforcement officers to use a level of force that is deemed appropriate based on the circumstances they encounter at the moment of the encounter.

Using what is "objectively reasonable" means that law enforcement personnel must assess the specific context of each situation, including factors such as the threat posed by the subject, the level of resistance encountered, and the potential danger to the officer and others nearby. Officers are not strictly limited to using only minimal force; rather, they are authorized to employ a level of force that is appropriate given the totality of the circumstances.

This distinction is crucial because it acknowledges that in some situations, particularly those involving immediate threats to safety, greater force may be necessary to ensure compliance and protect life. The emphasis is on a flexible approach that takes into account the dynamics of each encounter rather than adhering to a blanket rule of minimal force.