When evaluating incidents, it’s valuable to ask, “Who escalated the situation, and why?”
De-Escalation: A Commonsense Approach
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Category: Use of Force
Concerns with Video Evidence: Does Video Tell All?
Video is a great tool for law enforcement, courts and communities, but should not be considered the final word on what happened
Court Sees Video Through Different Eyes and Reverses Grant of Summary Judgement
The appellate court stated the trial court offered “one fair interpretation of the video”
Reasonable Response, Even if Not Perfect, Entitles Officers to Judgement
The court held the officers did not use excessive force
Honest But Inaccurate: Why Video Doesn’t Capture What Is Experienced
Memory is influenced by circumstances and emotions invisible to cameras
Too Close for Safety: Qualified Immunity Granted Within Zone of Imminent Danger
Qualified immunity is proper when the court resolves one of two factors in favor of the defendant officer
Second Shot After Clearing Weapon Leads to Liability
The appellate court held the officer was not entitled to qualified immunity
Body-Worn Cameras and Memory
Visual imagery can enhance memory, but when it comes to body cams, it’s not that simple
“Grossly Disproportionate Force” Precludes Qualified Immunity
“The grossly disproportionate force used in this case was clearly established as a constitutional violation”
Shooting of Family Dog During Warrant Execution Ruled Reasonable
The court must balance the officer’s safety interests against the pet owner’s possessory interests
Court Discusses Duty to Intervene in Alleged Excessive Force
An agency must have policy and training on the duty to intervene
What You Need to Know About Officer Duty to Intervene
A solid understanding of how to apply the rule is crucial to prepare yourself when the time to act comes