Legal
The Legal topic page on Police1 is a must-read for any officer, at any agency, who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest news. Every trial, verdict and court decision that has to do with cops will be covered on this page.
California’s “No Secret Police Act,” introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, would make it a misdemeanor for officers to obscure their faces
Court rules that sergeant’s alleged application of pain compliance techniques upon a recalcitrant protester may be a violation of clearly established law
Understanding the protective protocols and legal standards that shaped agents’ response during a high-security DHS event
A U.S. District Judge ordered the Trump administration to relinquish control of the Guard; the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an administrative stay of the lower court’s ruling
In U.S. v. Aquino Urraca, the 6th Circuit ruled a truck search was justified based on reasonable suspicion, overturning evidence suppression
Court upholds officers’ entry under exigent circumstances and the Fourth Amendment, finding observations justified further action
Protections for police officers and immigration enforcement have been highlighted in executive orders during President Trump’s second term — what grade would you give him?
During the White House event, the FOP praised President Donald Trump for addressing income tax on overtime pay and strengthening immigration enforcement
The Drones for First Responders Act would also require drones to meet stricter “Rules of Origin” standards by 2030, ensuring key parts aren’t made in China
House File 856 prohibits public entities from offering what it defines as “preferential treatment or special benefits” based on identity categories
Public safety leaders warn that the House-passed bill lacks critical support for upgrading outdated 911 systems, calling the omission a threat to emergency response and community safety
A traffic stop leads to finding guns and marijuana, with social media proving illegal possession of firearms
In U.S. v. Keller, the 5th Circuit reaffirms the legality of Fourth Amendment border searches at immigration checkpoints
“I believe he should have never went back on the street after Hickory Police Department charged him with those crimes,” Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown said
Justice Samuel Alito issued a concurring statement that acknowledged the constitutional issues at stake but found the officers did not meet the threshold for emergency relief
“It disheartens me that the cold-blooded killer of [an officer] can be released without serving the penalty our justice system handed down,” Milford Deputy Chief John Sanchioni said
The panel ruled that N.J. State Police needed explicit permission to enter a suspect’s driveway, and as a result, suppressed all evidence obtained from the GPS tracker
In dismissing the charges, U.S. District Judge Michael Brown said now-retired Sung Kim’s actions amounted to “textbook self-defense”
While Officer Toni McBride was initially granted qualified immunity in a 2020 shooting, an appellate court found that the shots fired while the suspect was on the ground were not within policy
The bill increases the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,400; it also creates a deduction for income taxes paid on overtime earnings for individuals making under $160,000 per year
“There must be facts that connect the smell to an individual passenger for there to be probable cause to arrest that passenger,” Judge Marjorie Rendell stated
Det. Sgt. Brian Keely made a reasonable decision to try to block the fleeing man from entering a restaurant, even if the officer’s actions were risky, the judge stated
After Robert Olsen entered his plea, a judge sentenced him to 15 years with 12 years commuted to time served, with the balance to be served on probation
During an argument, Jacqueline Villasenor produced a gun and said she would kill herself; German Villasenor was attempting to intervene when the gun fired, killing him
Grabbing and firing an officer’s gun during arrest results in a felon in possession of firearm conviction and a 110-month prison sentence
Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years for deputizing several businessmen in exchange for cash payments
The family of Alfredo “Freddy” Flores, a 22-year veteran of the department, said that the LASD failed to comply with orders by state regulators to inspect and clean the trailers
Court reaffirms Graham totality standard giving officers legal clarity
The 11th Circuit affirms an officer’s shooting of an armed bystander during an active shooter incident at an Alabama mall
The 10th Circuit denied qualified immunity to deputies who made a warrantless entry and allowed a K-9 to bite the resident
The 10-time convicted felon fled Washington with help from his mother after firing at Thurston County deputies during a pursuit
Mark Dial was convicted of manslaughter and other charges for fatally shooting Eddie Irizarry, who was holding a knife inside a car; he was acquitted of third-degree murder
Jurors were split in the case of former Grand Rapids PD officer Christopher Schurr, who said he acted in self-defense during fatal encounter with Patrick Lyoya
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