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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
Officers can release police dogs on violent, fleeing suspects – but if a warning is feasible, skipping it can be a problem
This court recognized a difference between working a developing scene and stalling for investigative advantage
With facts, urgency and discipline in scope, courts will likely back a decision to enter
This appellate ruling examines whether a delay waiting for a K-9 was justified
Curtilage carries strong Fourth Amendment protections – but those protections are not absolute
Friendly fire and constitutional force: How courts analyze missed targets
Where exterior sniffs end – and constitutional risk begins
What looks suspicious to officers on the street may not meet the legal standard in court — making thorough documentation essential
Ruling emphasizes the importance of clearly articulating observations that support reasonable suspicion
A recent appellate ruling emphasizes that officers are not required to alter tactics when a subject presents an objective safety threat