What aspect of police activity did the ruling in Tennessee v. Garner emphasize?

The ruling in Tennessee v. Garner is significant because it established the need for special circumstances when law enforcement officers use deadly force. This case arose from an incident where a police officer shot a fleeing suspect who was unarmed. The U.S. Supreme Court determined that the use of deadly force is only justified when the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious injury to the officer or others.

This ruling emphasizes the importance of evaluating the situation carefully, rather than adopting an unrestricted approach to the use of force. Ensuring that specific criteria are met before using deadly force helps to protect individuals' rights and promotes accountability in law enforcement practices.