In Georgia law, which statute provides the authority of a peace officer to use force when making an arrest?

• A. 17-4-20(b)
• B. 16-3-20
• C. 16-3-21
• D. 16-3-24.2

Answer: (A)

The essential idea here is that the authority for a peace officer to use force during an arrest comes from a statute that explicitly covers use of force in making an arrest. That statute provides the legal basis for officers to employ reasonable and necessary force to effect the arrest and to protect themselves and others, outlining the standard of proportionality and necessity that must guide such actions. Because it precisely addresses when and how force may be used to complete an arrest, it is the best fit for answering who may use force and under what limits.

The other statutes shown do not grant this arrest-focused authority. They deal with different topics—such as resisting or obstructing an officer or other crimes and procedures—and do not establish the specific permission for an officer to use force to effect an arrest.