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.
This is how states have modified the QI doctrine since the upheaval of 2020
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
The Police Benevolent Association alleged the policy goes against previous legal agreements allowing officers to take prescribed steroids without consulting a district surgeon
Teachers who want to carry must be approved by the school principal, school district and a local law enforcement agency, and must undergo a background check and training
Patrick McDowell pleaded guilty to the shooting death of Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers at a traffic stop in 2021
Former officer Ryan Pownall, initially charged with third-degree murder, had all charges dismissed when a judge ruled the DA’s office failed to provide accurate jury instructions regarding police use of force
The man’s vehicle slammed into Officer James Muhlbauer’s patrol car, killing him and his K-9 partner Champ; the impact caused the cruiser to strike and kill Jesse Eckes, a pedestrian
After viewing body camera footage, the judge stated it was not clear that the college student’s intentions with the post were violent or posed an imminent threat to officers
Family members filed a lawsuit after a man was killed when paramedics placed a backboard on his back and directed a police officer to sit on it
The appellate court began by citing other cases in which the court “held that it’s reasonable for officers to tase fleeing suspects”
The appellate panel noted that merely carrying a concealed gun could imply a crime under Michigan law, which requires individuals to prove their possession is lawful with a license
The man doused himself with fluid and lit himself on fire across the street from the courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s trial continues
The court stated that using the suspect’s thumbprint required no mental exertion on his part and fell into the same category as a blood test taken at booking
The law increases penalties for anyone who assaults or kills a law enforcement animal, including a hefty fine on top of paying for medical costs
St. Louis Police Sgt. Jaytonya Muldrow sued after she was forcibly transferred without a demotion or decrease in pay; the Supreme Court ruled that workers only have to show that the transfer resulted in “some harm” to prove their claims
The rise of consumer DNA testing and open genetic databases made forensic genetic genealogy a valuable tool for law enforcement investigations
Court ruled that a jury may find that participating officers used unconstitutional excessive force during the execution of the warrant
Luther Hall was walking back toward police headquarters following a protest in 2017 when his uniformed colleagues ordered him to put up his hands and get on the ground
A SWAT team executed a no-knock warrant on the wrong house, resulting in the injury of an occupant and a lawsuit
An officer struck by a “rock-like” object during a 2016 protest in Baton Rouge sued the protest’s organizer, alleging his role as organizer contributed to the incident
The legislation, which followed the death of a man crossing a street turned pitch black by the theft of copper wiring in streetlights, would require anyone selling copper metal to have a state-issued license
Tate Rheaume was “engaged in extraordinarily dangerous driving” at more than 80 mph while also moving in and out of traffic before the fatal crash, according to the Rutland County State’s Attorney
The state sentences were shorter than the mens’ federal sentences of 10 to 40 years, but exceeded the state’s recommended maximum; they will be served concurrently with the federal sentences
After hearing statements from the relatives of the students killed in the attack, the judge sentenced in excess of the recommended sentencing guidelines
The new policy prohibits filming and recording in the DeLand Police Department station lobby; advocates say the rule will protect citizens who need to share sensitive information with police
The term has been banned from police officer and EMS training except to describe its historical usage
The bill would provide for information sharing and dissemination, emulating the New Jersey State Police real-time crime center; there, agecies are tied into a real-time computer chat to report car thefts and information
The class-action lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz, two Muslim women who said they felt shamed and exposed when they were forced to remove their hijabs after they were arrested
Attorneys initially sought the death penalty for Elliahs Dorsey, who shot and killed Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Breann Leath
A jury ruled that Officer Toni McBride was not treated unfairly by the department; McBride had alleged her career was threatened if she did not remove certain social media posts
Chief Todd Raybuck, who was accused of mocking Asian people on multiple occasions, denies all allegations of discrimination; the settlement does not carry an acknowledgment of guilt or liability
The Oct. 29 incident occurred after the man randomly assaulted a church-goer; he fled from San Francisco police until a wheel “literally fell off” of the car he was driving
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