These action-oriented publications are intended for every officer to reinforce learning around key legal principles. They are easy-to-digest, intended for all ranks and ready for implementation.
Barnes v Felix Legal Bulletin
What do Officers & Agencies Need to Know? The preservation of human life is the highest priority in policing. Police authority to use force, including deadly force, is subject to constitutional limitations. In a recent Fourth Amendment case, Barnes v. Felix, the Supreme Court reiterated that evaluating the constitutionality of an officer’s…
First Amendment – Location Based Restrictions
Free speech is an essential part of an informed and engaged democracy, and subject to strong constitutional protections. The First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech limits the government’s authority to restrict or punish speech or expressive conduct.
First Amendment – Protests & Demonstrations
Protests and demonstrations are a critical expression of free speech, which is an essential part of an informed and engaged democracy. While subject to strong First Amendment protections, protests and demonstrations create challenges for police agencies that must carefully balance the constitutional rights of the many individuals involved against…
Foundations of Good Policing
Lawful. Legitimate. Effective. Efficient. Having a clear, comprehensive definition of good policing will help agencies, organizational leaders, and individual officers build a culture of transformational leadership while navigating an increasingly complicated public safety landscape.
First Amendment – Auditors
First Amendment auditors intentionally film or photograph public spaces, government buildings, and public officials to test and assert their constitutional rights. Police encounters with auditors can escalate if not properly understood or managed. This bulletin explains what auditors do, outlines the relevant legal framework, and recommends best…