Which statement best reflects the objective reasonable test for use of force?

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Reasonableness of use of force is judged against an objective standard: what a reasonable officer would think in the same situation, with the information available at the time. Evaluating that reasonableness involves several connected factors. First, the officer must be lawfully placed to act; authority to act is essential to justify any use of force. Second, the officer’s own belief about whether the force was reasonable at the moment matters, because decisions are made under pressure and uncertainty, and understanding their perspective helps assess proportionality to the threat. Third, how a reasonable person would view the amount of force under the circumstances helps ensure the action would be seen as appropriate by members of the public. Taken together, these elements provide a complete, fair assessment of whether the force used was reasonable.