Terrence P. Dwyer, Esq.

Police Liability and Litigation

Terrence P. Dwyer retired from the New York State Police after a 22-year career as a Trooper and Investigator. He is now a tenured Professor in the Justice and Law Administration Department at Western Connecticut State University and an attorney in private practice representing law enforcement officers in disciplinary cases, critical incidents, and employment matters. He is the author of Legal Issues in Homeland Security, Looseleaf Law Publications.

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Full list of Terrence P. Dwyer, Esq. results

Can the 'right to resist' become a license to kill?
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The Model Penal Code — and supporting commentary — specifically prohibit use of force in resisting an arrest, even if that arrest is believed to be illegal
2011 in Review: 7 key decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court
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The U.S. Supreme Court sets the minimal constitutional standard to be applied, state courts are free to provide broader constitutional protections under state constitutions
Legal considerations in the use of digital video in criminal cases
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Law enforcement’s challenge with the proliferation of potential video evidence is in obtaining and preserving the images captured for future evidentiary value
2011 World Police & Fire Games: Camaraderie and competition
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Despite the short-term damper of Hurricane Irene, and a handful of glitches, miscues, and planning-related issues, the competition and the competitors were first class all the way
Age and custody: U.S. Supreme Court alters the rules
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The decision in J.D.B. v. North Carolina has signaled a major change in the Miranda landscape
Videotaping the police: A brief legal analysis
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Whether or not a citizen can videotape a police officer in the active performance of a public duty is a question finding its way and potential resolution in the courts. The answer may well depend o...
10 years after 9/11: Cops follow the money in the fight against terrorists
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In their latest book, On the Trail of Terror Finance: What Law Enforcement and Intelligence Officers Need to Know, co-authors John Cassara and Avi Jorisch discuss how to uncover terrorists’ money laundering fronts
Accountability and officer safety: Who's got our backs?
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Despite an alarming trend of homicide committed against our nation’s officers, politicians have cited police officers salaries, benefits, and retirement packages in a campaign of misinformation against public sector employees
Mourning our slain LEOs
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Each officer’s funeral is one more than any of us ever want to have to attend
4 key ways a cop can win on the stand
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Incredibly brave men and women who have fought with felons, braved gunfire, and remained calm in the face of emergencies are often uncomfortable and incapable when it comes to testifying in court
The legal system versus inflammatory rhetoric
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Implications that the officers acted with such disregard as “depraved indifference” under a criminal legal standard reserved for accused murderers are inflammatory and harmful to public discourse
Key considerations for good use-of-force policies
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The potential liability in any use-of-force situation begins prior to an incident
PoliceOne Analysis: Kentucky v. King
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At what point does an exigency either cease to exist or may be said to have never actually existed in the first place, thus requiring a warrant?
Pitfalls for police officers on Facebook
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There is increased frequency with which officers are being disciplined or finding themselves at the wrong end of a department policy based on their use (or misuse) of electronic media. Specifically...
Posing, performing, and conduct unbecoming
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Jessie Lunderby, 21, was fired by the Washington County (Ark.) Sheriff's Office following her nude appearance on Playboy.com as the "Cybergirl of the Week"
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