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.
A panel at the IACP 2024 conference discussed their experiences requesting and issuing ERPOs and advice for investigators, patrol officers and prosecutors
A pivotal 2020 case examines how TASER logs and video footage can impact an ongoing debate surrounding police use of force
Court assesses reliability of photo array identification in United States v. Ruiz, where key ID evidence led to a conviction
“I was handed, when I took over, what I believed were politically based and politically motivated prosecutions against police officers.”
The law applies to those who got sick with the virus from March 9, 2020, through June 30, 2021 and assumes they contracted it because of work
The man was stopped after a deputy reportedly observed him speeding and driving erratically in April 2022
The case prompted the CHP to change its policies to prevent LEOs “from using techniques or transport methods that involve a substantial risk of positional asphyxia”
Gov. Brian Kemp said the bill is empowered to curb “far-left prosecutors” who are “making our communities less safe”
Officer Joseph Santana was killed by a felon with a lengthy criminal record who had a strike allegation revoked, violating California’s three strikes law
The new bill makes it easier to start pursuing someone suspected of committing a violent crime, a sex offense or driving while intoxicated
After four years of pretrial disputes, the case against a so-called deputy gang known as the Banditos moves forward
A temporary law expires on July 1, so if lawmakers fail to pass a bill, Washington would become the second state to decriminalize drug possession
Capt. Javier Ortiz will work an administrative position directly under the chief and be awarded several months of back pay
An agreement between lawmakers and the DeSantis administration puts up funds for LEOs who have protested the ban of DJI drones
Judge: “There’s proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Thao’s actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances”
William “Ben” Darby asked for a hearing to determine whether the state’s “stand your ground” law should shield the former cop from a second trial
In this case, the court rules the suspect knew he had a choice and decided to speak anyway
Understanding the impact of recent changes in California law
Brian Cummings pled guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in relation to a pursuit that reached speeds of up to 100 mph
The prosecutor argues that the 10 defendants “acted together” and should be tried together
As three officers fired at the suspect, rounds from Officer Brandon Ramos struck four bystanders, causing “life-altering injuries to his victims”
Over 300 officers who work in sensitive assignments plan to sue the city claiming the information release has endangered their lives
The officers’ reasonable belief the subject could have been armed, coupled with his refusal to obey their commands to turn away, justified the use of the dog
Surely it would be utter foolishness to ignore a person walking up to a school with a rifle slung on her back and a handgun and other items on a gun belt. Here’s what a court had to say
An officer must notify a supervisor about the pursuit and then come up with a plan to end the pursuit
The law specifies the “emergency incident area” may include an area 25 feet in all directions from the perimeter of an emergency incident area
The agreement will remain in effect for two weeks; the injunction says officers can use pepper spray if protests turn violent
An investigation by the FBI and Contra Costa DA will look into the Antioch PD’s texts between 17 officers and related criminal cases
“This has nothing to do with the monetary value of the lawsuit, but everything to do with accountability,” Nichols’ mother said
Officer Toni McBride, who’s seeking more than $5 million in damages, alleges Chief Michel Moore blocked promotions because she refused to remove videos of her at shooting competitions and firing ranges
Legislation moves to the Senate, but some representatives and LEOs believe the new bill still does not offer a comprehensive solution
Dissenting judge highly critical of fellow judges concluding: “the rule of law [they treat] as clearly established … could well make the difference in whether officers like Agdeppa and Rodriguez make it out of a violent altercation alive.”
Police need to understand what law enforcement interests might outweigh the free speech protection of livestreaming – and under what circumstances
