Written By: Chief Thomas Grimaldi, Bristol Police Department, Bristol, CT Every police department, at one time or another has had its low points. Some, more serious and more infamous than others. One only needs to look back into history books to identify police departments clouded by scandals. In 1971 the Knapp Commission uncovered corruption in […]
When you joined the department as a new officer your first taste of supervision was through the Sergeant. Most of us look at the Sergeant and say “that’s a good job.” If your experience is like mine I remember the supervisor saying, “don’t bother me unless someone dies.” That was twenty years ago and, unfortunately
Your Department Is Only as Strong as Your Weakest Supervisor Read More »
The United States Supreme Court released a decision on November 4, 2013 pertaining to the constitutionality of a police officer’s warrantless pursuit of a suspect into a home based on probable cause of the commission of a misdemeanor crime.[1] A ruling from the Supreme Court is important to clarify the standards applicable to search and
Stanton v. Sims: Constitutionality of Officer’s Warrantless Entry Based on a Misdemeanor Read More »
For the purpose of providing guidance to Law Enforcement our firm is dedicated to spotting emerging trends and staying abreast of developing law as advances in the technological world merge with law enforcement practices. Back in 2012, we first started discussing the effect and influence of emerging technology, and the difficulties surrounding the use, search,
Private Emails Are Not So Private for Government Employees Read More »
Attorney Ken Wallentine Four years ago, in Arizona v. Gant, 556 U.S. 332 (2009), the Supreme Court took a sharp turn in the law of search incident to arrest. The Court stepped back toward the two justifications for the search incident to arrest exception to the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement—preservation of evidence and officer safety—first
Courts Limit Cell Phone Searches Incident to Arrest Read More »
Attorney Karen J. Kruger The United States Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the State of Maryland in its opinion in Maryland v. King, a case that evaluated the constitutionality of the taking of a DNA sample from a person arrested, but not yet convicted of a serious crime. In the case before the
On May 13, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit came down with a favorable opinion for law enforcement involved in a fatal “officer involved shooting” incident. The Court’s opinion is well thought out and analyzes and evaluates each step of the incident as it progressed, ultimately leading to the fatal
Officer Involved Shootings – How Are Courts Analyzing the Use of Deadly Force? Read More »
In the past months, two different courts released decisions analyzing an officer’s use of an electronic control weapon in the context of the 4th Amendment and allegations of excessive force. Both of these decisions give insight into the manner in which courts are currently evaluating the use of the weapon, the facts and circumstances surrounding
Florida v. Harris On February 19, 2013, the United States Supreme Court came down with its second decision issued on the same day involving the procedures and practices of law enforcement. This decision, however, is definitely one for the law enforcement “win column.” In fact, law enforcement drug detection dog handlers might want to consider
Supreme Court Supports Use of Canines as Sufficient Probable Cause Read More »
Let’s face it, police officers do not like to be recorded, especially when performing their official duties in the public arena. The fact is that officers are being recorded daily now that the general public carries recording devices in their pockets ready to record at the push of a button. This leads to clear challenges
Glik v. Cunniffe – Videotaping Police Officers Read More »
