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.
In Quinn v. Zerkle, the 4th Circuit weighs the legality of implied consent after a door opens following a police pursuit, while upholding the use of force in a rapidly evolving confrontation
From the fireman’s rule to the doctrine of governmental immunity, public safety professionals face long-standing legal doctrines that prevent them from suing for injuries sustained in the line of duty
While it’s easy to rely on established case law, officers and legal professionals must avoid a one-size-fits-all approach
The plight of two LE professionals who both died of duty-related melanomas highlights the inequities in workplace protections afforded to those who protect both humans and our natural resources
Greene County Sheriff Rob McMillen expects the weapons ban to be challenged in court, but until then he says that he is going to follow his “morals and beliefs”
The officers are charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty to persons
The suspect opened fire on officers after they attempted to arrest him for an active warrant in 2021, killing Officer Ryan Bialke
Legal experts said the shooting likely falls under the state’s self-defense law, but some questions remain
The new policy was prompted by the murder of a man who confronted a squeegee worker at a downtown intersection and was shot last year
A citizen questions whether an officer who publicly criticizes the sheriff and his deputies could work effectively alongside them
What’s the long-term impact of Armstrong v. Pinehurst? A study indicates some agencies reacted by altering policy in such a way that may have led to increased officer-involved shootings
Colleagues, friends and family members have questioned why the suspect wasn’t behind bars under the state’s “three strikes” law
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jeff Thurman and his wife sued Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich in 2019 for wrongful termination and defamation
“This officer resorted to using pepper spray during a confrontation with a civilian in a manner that was unnecessary and contrary to his training,” AG Matthew Platkin said
Police ran DNA left at the scene through a public database, then used genetic genealogy techniques to connect the DNA to Bryan Kohberger through his family members
The judge has not made a final determination on the constitutionality of any of Measure 114’s provisions
Many swatting calls were reported across the state during 2022, including a false report of an active shooter that sent hundreds of students into lockdown
The court order gives authorities 10 days to extradite, and he is currently being held at a jail in Pa. until transport
The order came after a Kankakee County judge said the provisions were unconstitutional
Bryan Christopher Kohberger is being held for extradition to Idaho on a warrant for first degree murder
Some of the cases encompassed face-to-face “person crimes,” where defendants were charged with beating, assaulting or threatening the safety of victims
The court held that “a reasonable person would distinguish between a spotlight and red and blue emergency lights in considering whether the person was free to leave or otherwise terminate the encounter”
“In eliminating monetary bail, the discretion constitutionally vested to the courts to protect victims and their families by this method is gone,” said Judge Cunnington
“Landmark case [could] change the landscape of public safety for future generations.”
“The tragedy of this is that one of this community’s best, most heroic, and most decorated law enforcement officers was removed from our community’s law enforcement team.”
The suspect was shooting into an occupied dwelling before aiming his gun at officers and threatening to shoot them, forcing police to open fire
“I have video of you drinking and getting into your county car. We are watching you closely,” said one message sent to the investigator
Aaron Dean’s guilty verdict was a rare conviction of an officer for killing someone who was also armed with a gun
We live in a society that is more mobile and diverse than ever. Officers should learn what language resources are available before the need arises
An initial ruling stated Jerome Lannon was not killed in the line of duty, so his widow would not be awarded his death benefits
A death report did reveal “concerning issues with the culture” of the training facility, including “hazing” and a “lack of helpful cooperation in the investigation”
The issue has been placed on hold until questions about its constitutionality can be decided
Aaron Dean had fatally shot a woman through a rear window of her home in 2019 while responding to a call about an open front door
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