Thus, the Court defined actions of police officers as actions of the state–the government.

The Graham decision in 1989 changed the focus—from the individual citizen to the police officer.

The Court interpreted the Fourth Amendment to protect police officers, not black people.

It in effect changed the view of the police use of force from that of an individual encountering a state action that could potentially be a violation of the person’s constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment to that of the police officer’s right, the right to act—and use force–if they feel it is reasonable.

If the intent is to value the police officer’s life as more significant, we need to debate this issue in public and the courts.