Use of Force in U.S. Policing: Evolving Complexities and Shifting Dynamics in 2025

Abstract

Use of force remains one of the most debated and scrutinized aspects of law enforcement in the United States. This paper examines developments in 2025 relating to the legal standards, public perceptions, policy reforms, and notable incidents influencing the application and oversight of police use of force. Building upon historical legal precedents such as Graham v. Connor (1989) and Tennessee v. Garner (1985), this article analyzes recent Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, Supreme Court clarifications, and agency-level reforms. The findings highlight that while reforms and training initiatives have advanced, high-profile incidents and political dynamics continue to challenge transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Introduction

The use of force by law enforcement has long been a contentious topic in both academic discourse and public debate. Legal precedents, evolving public expectations, and advancements in policy and training collectively shape the standards by which force is applied and judged. According to Peak (2021), police officers remain “the only element of our society (except for the military, under certain circumstances) that is allowed to use force against its citizens, up to and including lethal force” (p. 111). This unique authority requires law enforcement to apply force in a manner that is fair, necessary, and “objectively reasonable” (Graham v. Connor, 1989).

Public Perception in 2025

Public attitudes toward policing in 2025 have shown modest improvement across demographic groups, including communities of color, though perceptions remain influenced by high-visibility incidents (Lexipol, 2025). Studies also indicate nuanced public reactions to police engagement in nontraditional contexts, such as health emergencies, raising concerns about blurred boundaries between community policing and militarization (Frontiers in Public Health, 2025).

Policy Reform and Training Initiatives

In 2025, the DOJ continued to enforce and expand reform agreements with multiple agencies. For example, in Minneapolis, a negotiated settlement mandated comprehensive revisions to use-of-force policy, supervisory review processes, and training requirements (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2025a). In Oklahoma City, the DOJ determined that police practices disproportionately harmed individuals experiencing mental health crises, calling for expanded co-response models with unarmed crisis professionals (Associated Press [AP], 2025a). Phoenix implemented a new use-of-force policy with community feedback from more than 800 residents, supplemented by expanded less-lethal tool deployment and training programs (AZFamily, 2025).

These reforms align with national legislative efforts such as the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (LEDTA) and federally funded “Safe Outcomes” initiatives, which aim to standardize evidence-based training and reduce the risk of excessive force incidents (R Street Institute, 2025).

Legal Framework and Judicial Developments

The cornerstone of use-of-force jurisprudence remains the “objectively reasonable” standard articulated in Graham v. Connor (1989), which emphasizes evaluating force from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene. In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed and expanded this principle in Barnes v. Felix, holding that excessive-force claims must consider the “totality of the circumstances” rather than focusing solely on the moment of perceived threat (Barnes v. Felix, 2025).

High-Profile Incidents and Federal Oversight

Several incidents in 2025 exemplify ongoing challenges:

• Chicago Traffic Stop: Prosecutors declined charges against officers who discharged nearly 100 rounds, killing Dexter Reed, after Reed fired first. The case reignited debates on proportionality and tactical decision-making (AP, 2025b).
• Louisiana Settlement: The state agreed to pay $9 million to Clifton “Scotty” Dilley, who was paralyzed after being shot by a state trooper, highlighting systemic training failures (AP, 2025c).
• Seattle Federal Oversight Conclusion: After 13 years under a consent decree, the DOJ recommended lifting oversight, citing sustained compliance (Reuters, 2025).
• Breonna Taylor Case Development: The DOJ requested a one-day sentence for former officer Brett Hankison in a federal civil-rights case, sparking criticism from reform advocates (Washington Post, 2025a).
• D.C. Federal Takeover: President Trump ordered a temporary federal takeover of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, deploying the National Guard despite low violent crime rates, prompting legal and political backlash (Washington Post, 2025b).

Data Collection and Accountability

The FBI’s National Use-of-Force Data Collection program, active since 2019, continues to gather incident-level data on use-of-force events involving death or serious bodily injury (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2025). While the program does not assess lawfulness, it supports trend analysis and transparency.

Conclusion

The year 2025 underscores the enduring complexity of use-of-force issues in the United States. While policy reforms, improved training, and legal clarifications mark progress, public trust remains fragile. Sustainable improvement will depend on consistent oversight, transparent data reporting, and genuine community engagement.

References

Associated Press. (2025a, February 28). DOJ finds Oklahoma City police discriminate against people with behavioral disabilities. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/8f4f4e43a6da8727cebd2dcf3d030344

Associated Press. (2025b, March 1). Prosecutors won’t charge Chicago officers who fired nearly 100 times during deadly traffic stop. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/cd3ebeb91f49ac27f329cc8acfb7dc41

Associated Press. (2025c, February 5). Louisiana to pay $9 million to man shot by state trooper during traffic stop. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/6c0be53b9a17a81da478bfff75d37988

AZFamily. (2025, February 19). Phoenix police announce implementation of new use-of-force policy. https://www.azfamily.com/2025/02/19/phoenix-police-announce-implementation-new-use-force-policy

Barnes v. Felix, 601 U.S. ___ (2025).

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2025). National use-of-force data collection. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/ucr/use-of-force

Frontiers in Public Health. (2025). Police legitimacy and militarization in public health emergencies. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1569263/full

Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989).

Lexipol. (2025, February 7). Public attitudes toward police are improving, but there’s still more to do. https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/public-attitudes-toward-police-are-improving-but-theres-still-more-to-do

Peak, K. J. (2021). Justice administration (9th ed.). Pearson.

Reuters. (2025, July 23). Seattle police should exit federal oversight after 13 years, DOJ says. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/seattle-police-should-exit-federal-oversight-after-13-years-doj-says-2025-07-23

R Street Institute. (2025). 2025 public safety agenda for law enforcement. https://www.rstreet.org/research/2025-public-safety-agenda-for-lawenforcement

Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985).

U.S. Department of Justice. (2025a, March 14). Justice Department reaches agreement with city of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-agreement-city-minneapolis-and-minneapolis-police-department

Washington Post. (2025a, July 17). DOJ seeks one-day sentence for officer in raid that killed Breonna Taylor. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/17/doj-sentencing-police-officer-breonna-taylor

Washington Post. (2025b, August 11). Trump orders National Guard to take control of D.C. police amid crime crackdown. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/11/trump-national-guard-dc-crime-crackdown