According to recent case law, when can police officers continue to use deadly force?

The correct response indicates that police officers may continue to use deadly force until the threat to public safety has ended. Recent case law establishes that the justification for using deadly force is tied directly to the immediate threat an officer encounters. If there is an ongoing risk to the safety of officers, civilians, or the public at large, lethal force can be warranted to neutralize that threat. This aligns with the legal standard of using reasonable force by law enforcement, which encompasses assessing the presence and intensity of the threat in dynamic situations.

Using deadly force is not strictly limited to the moments of pursuit, an arrest, or solely during confrontations with aggressive suspects. A threat can persist even after an arrest is made or during a pursuit, particularly if the suspect poses a danger to others or demonstrates intent to continue harm. In these scenarios, the necessity of protecting public safety legitimizes the continued use of deadly force until the immediate threat is sufficiently resolved.