Ace the Chicago Police Department Exam 2025 – Suit Up to Serve and Protect!

The correct term that describes a police officer's obligation to act in a reasonable manner when using force is due process. Due process refers to the legal requirement that an individual must receive fair treatment through the judicial system, which includes the principle that law enforcement must operate within the bounds of the law and respect individuals' rights in their actions. When it comes to the use of force, officers are expected to apply force reasonably and justifiably, considering the circumstances they encounter.

The other terms relate to different legal concepts. Reasonable suspicion refers to the belief that a person may be involved in criminal activity, which is a lower standard than probable cause. Probable cause is a higher standard necessary for obtaining a warrant or making an arrest, rooted in reasonable belief based on facts. Qualified immunity protects government officials from being held personally liable for constitutional violations under certain circumstances, but it does not specifically address the reasonableness of using force itself. Thus, due process is the most fitting term for the obligation to act reasonably in the context of law enforcement actions.