Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Which court case led to the update in Illinois' deadly force law?

1. Tennessee v Garner

2. Graham v Connor

3. Miranda v Arizona

4. Roe v Wade

The correct answer is: Tennessee v Garner

The case that prompted an update in Illinois' deadly force law is Tennessee v. Garner. This landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1985 established that the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect is unconstitutional unless the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. This ruling fundamentally shifted the legal standards regarding the use of deadly force and provided a benchmark not only for federal law enforcement but also encouraged states to revisit and revise their own laws governing the use of force by officers. By directly addressing the conditions under which deadly force can be employed, Tennessee v. Garner greatly impacted how law enforcement agencies in Illinois approach high-stakes situations involving the apprehension of suspects. As a result, Illinois shaped its laws to align with the constitutional protections established by the Court, thereby ensuring that the guarding of civil rights while allowing for law enforcement to perform their duties effectively and safely became a priority in their legal framework.