Which law or amendment affects the use of force by police officers during an arrest?

The use of force by police officers during an arrest is primarily governed by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures and establishes the standard of "reasonableness" for the use of force in law enforcement situations.

The Fourth Amendment provides the legal framework through which courts evaluate whether the force used by an officer was justified based on the circumstances of the arrest. Factors such as the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to flee are considered to determine the appropriateness of the force used.

While the other amendments mentioned have important implications for various aspects of law enforcement and legal proceedings—such as free speech, due process, and equal protection—they do not specifically address the conditions under which law enforcement officers may use force against individuals during an arrest. Hence, the Fourth Amendment is the correct answer in this context.