Law enforcement officers protected from accusations of excessive force.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of law enforcement in two cases that claimed that officers used excessive force. The justices reversed separate lower court rulings that allowed the officers from Oklahoma and California to be sued for violations of civil rights. In both cases, police were responding to domestic disputes involving an adult male allegedly threatening women or children.
The Court stated a law enforcement officer is entitled to protection from liability as long as he or she “does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine preventing government officials from being sued for violations of citizens’ rights.
The two opinions were unsigned and had no dissents recorded.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For justice and judges hearing and ruling on cases that have to do with police reforms.
- For members of Congress as law enforcement reforms are considered.
- For the American public to increase in respect officers and abiding by the law.
Sources: Washington Examiner, Law360
