What is necessary for an officer to have before using deadly force against a fleeing felon?

For an officer to lawfully use deadly force against a fleeing felon, it is essential that there is probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a violent felony. This aligns with the legal standard pertaining to the use of deadly force in law enforcement, which generally restricts such actions to situations where there is an imminent threat of serious injury or death to officers or others. The need for probable cause ensures that the use of force meets a threshold of certainty regarding the severity of the crime committed, specifically emphasizing the violent nature of the felony in question.

This requirement is grounded in the principles of due process and the necessity to protect life, balancing the need for effective law enforcement with the rights of individuals. When a suspect poses a serious threat, the justification for using deadly force is heightened, making it critical that officers can demonstrate probable cause concerning a violent felony rather than a lesser offense or a non-violent act. This protects officers while also ensuring that the use of deadly force is a measure of last resort in situations involving dangerous suspects.