Before an officer can use deadly force on a fleeing felon, what must the officer have?

To use deadly force on a fleeing felon, an officer must have probable cause of significant deadly danger. This is a legal standard that requires the officer to reasonably believe that the fleeing felon poses an immediate threat to the safety of themselves or others. The decision to use deadly force is governed by constitutional guidelines, particularly the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable seizures.

Probable cause in this context means that the officer has specific facts or evidence that indicate the person is a threat, rather than just a hunch or intuition. The necessity of establishing significant deadly danger emphasizes the seriousness and potential legal ramifications of using deadly force. Officers must justify their actions based on the imminent threat presented at the moment, underscoring the principle that deadly force is a last resort in law enforcement responses.

The other options fall short of providing the necessary legal groundwork required before resorting to deadly force. Intuition and experience may guide an officer's understanding of a situation, but they do not meet the legal requirement. Similarly, witness reports might provide context but do not replace the need for an officer to have probable cause. Lastly, community approval is not a legal standard that can justify the use of deadly force and does not influence the officer's immediate duty to protect life in an