Ken Wallentine

Law Enforcement and the Law

Ken Wallentine is the chief of the West Jordan (Utah) Police Department and former chief of law enforcement for the Utah Attorney General. He has served over four decades in public safety, is a legal expert and editor of Xiphos, a monthly national criminal procedure newsletter. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Death and serves as a use of force consultant in state and federal criminal and civil litigation across the nation.

LATEST ARTICLES

illuminated neon motel sign red letters dark blue sky

Legal

We catch the dumb ones and the really evil ones

Court upheld a 15-year sentence after ruling a defendant who claimed he was “saving” minors targeted in a child sex sting

September 19, 2025 01:30 PM

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gun hidden in bed

Legal

When ‘talk nice, think mean’ isn’t enough; courtesy doesn’t fix ‘warrants’ ambiguity

In U.S. v. Glover, the D.C. Circuit ruled ambiguous references to “warrants” may have led to involuntary consent for a home search

September 12, 2025 01:02 PM

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Car on asphalt road in summer

Legal

Officers didn’t trespass on the curtilage during driveway stop

In United States v. Moses, the 3rd Circuit ruled a police officer did not violate the Fourth Amendment by walking onto a driveway

September 12, 2025 12:51 PM

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A black African-American man delivering a new mattress

Legal

Lifting mattress during protective sweep was not OK

In U.S. v. Walker, the 7th Circuit ruled a lifted mattress was unjustified under the protective sweep doctrine exemption in Maryland v. Buie

September 05, 2025 11:08 AM

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Hooded man standing on sidewalk at dark park in summer black night. Scary moment and gloomy atmosphere. Thief watching house. Back view.

Legal

Backyard gunfight, front yard shooting: No excessive force in deputies’ split-second decision

The 11th Circuit ruled deputies did not use excessive force in shooting Joseph Heid, who shot at officers during a domestic violence call

August 29, 2025 10:11 AM

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Disabled Parking Permit

Legal

Creative trooper’s traffic stop was lawfully extended

The 8th Circuit upheld an extended traffic stop and cell phone seizure, affirming the trooper’s actions did not violate the suspect’s rights

August 22, 2025 01:45 PM

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Male Policeman Forcing a Compliant Civilian on the Hood of Police Car. Officer Violently Pushing Man Against the Car and Handcuffing Him. Shocking Case of Police Brutality. Close up on Hands

Legal

Court clears deputies in fatal encounter after PCP-impaired DUI arrest

The 5th Circuit ruled that deputies acted constitutionally in TASER use on an impaired suspect, clearing them of excessive force claims

August 22, 2025 01:37 PM

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Man with cocaine powder

Legal

Warrantless probation search allowed, but only just

The 9th Circuit upheld a warrantless search of a man on supervised release, emphasizing probable cause based on residence

August 15, 2025 01:07 PM

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lights-police-car

Legal

Qualified immunity applied for officers who mistakenly shot infant human shield

The suspect posed “a clear and immediate threat” because he had just murdered two people, repeatedly fired at officers and abducted his infant son

August 15, 2025 12:57 PM

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Police car lights

Legal

Qualified immunity for shooting of off-duty officer

The 8th Circuit affirms qualified immunity for officer in shooting of off-duty cop during a chaotic pursuit in St. Louis

July 31, 2025 11:59 AM

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