Opinion ID: 65780
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Excessive Force/Battery

Text: Louisiana's excessive force tort mirrors its federal constitutional counterpart. The use of force when necessary to make an arrest is a legitimate police function. But if the officers use unreasonable or excessive force, they and their employer are liable for any injuries which result. Kyle, 353 So.2d at 972. Whether the force used is reasonable depends upon the totality of the facts and circumstances in each case, and factors to consider are: (1) the known character of the arrestee, (2) the risks and dangers faced by the officers, (3) the nature of the offense involved, (4) the chance of the arrestee's escape if the particular means are not employed, (5) the existence of alternative methods of arrest, (6) the physical size, strength, and weaponry of the officers compared to the arrestee, and (7) the exigencies of the moment. Id. at 973. These considerations are sufficiently similar to the Graham factors that our decision on this claim mirrors our decision of plaintiffs' § 1983 excessive force claim, and we thus reverse the district court's grant of summary judgment to defendants on the state-law excessive force/battery claim. See Penn v. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, 843 So.2d 1157, 1159-60 (La.Ct.App.2003). [9]