Patrol Case Law: Tennessee V. Garner

In this case, the Court ruled that a Tennessee statute allowing police officers to use deadly force to prevent the escape of any suspected felon was unconstitutional. The Court's decision focused on the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable seizures, arguing that the use of deadly force against a fleeing, unarmed suspect who poses no significant threat to the officer or others is excessive and unreasonable. The Court found that the common-law rule permitting deadly force against fleeing felons was no longer justified in modern society and that the practice of many police departments in restricting the use of deadly force supports the Court's conclusion.