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Mike Callahan

The Objectively Reasonable Officer

John Michael Callahan served in law enforcement for 44 years. His career began as a special agent with NCIS. He became an FBI agent and served in the FBI for 30 years, retiring in the position of supervisory special agent/chief division counsel. He taught criminal law/procedure at the FBI Academy. After the FBI, he served as a Massachusetts Deputy Inspector General and is currently a deputy sheriff for Plymouth County, Massachusetts. He is the author of two published books on deadly force and an upcoming book on supervisory and municipal liability in law enforcement.

Contact Mike Callahan.

LATEST ARTICLES
An appellate ruling reinstating two fired Jersey City officers examines whether a police agency in a legalized state can discipline officers for off-duty cannabis use by citing conflicts with federal gun laws
Court finds officers acted reasonably under extreme threat when returning fire during a hostage crisis that left a 3-year-old and his father dead
“Routine” vehicle stops often mask the potential for ambush, leaving officers in situations where reaction time is dangerously constrained
Ruling in Ames v. Ohio, justices reject higher burden of proof for majority-group plaintiffs in sex discrimination cases
Court rules that sergeant’s alleged application of pain compliance techniques upon a recalcitrant protester may be a violation of clearly established law
Court affirms that tactics used to disperse unruly crowd did not violate protesters’ constitutional rights, dismisses excessive force lawsuit and grants officers qualified immunity
Following a Ninth Circuit decision on use of force, one sheriff’s new policy has sparked debate over legal interpretation, responder safety and the future of crisis response models
Court rules that the deputy acted reasonably when fatally shooting wounded prone suspect who fled after shooting another officer
The precedent set by Franks v. Delaware warns officers of the dire consequences, such as suppressed evidence, civil suits and potential career destruction
Officers must be extremely cautious in executing a paramedic’s request to apply pressure to a prone individual’s back and upper torso