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

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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Ammunition

Legal

Clues to possession of ammunition support conviction

The 8th Circuit upheld a conviction of a felon in possession of ammunition based on control of the vehicle and corroborating witness testimony

July 07, 2025 10:35 AM

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Two Police Officers in Pursuit of a Suspect. Cops Getting out of the Car Start Chasing Criminal on Foot Through the Dark City Streets. Heroic Officers Catching and Arresting Drug Dealer, Murdered

Legal

Court rules police acted reasonably in deadly motorcycle shop standoff

The court found the officers were justified in temporarily detaining the plaintiffs to ascertain their identities and ensure safety

July 07, 2025 10:19 AM

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I did not see you, sorry.

Legal

A shootout (of sorts) in Texas

After a prolonged pursuit in Laredo, Texas, the 5th Circuit granted qualified immunity to officers who fired on a suspect using his truck as a weapon

June 20, 2025 02:23 PM

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Vacant Carnival

Legal

Traffic stop ‘by the numbers’ on the way to the state fair

Two 911 calls, a suspicious route and a busted alibi helped officers intercept 32 pounds of methamphetamine on a South Dakota highway

June 20, 2025 01:54 PM

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