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C.I.T. LEGAL ISSUES Attorney Elliot B. Spector Spector Criminal Justice Training Network www.spectortraining.org ebspector87@gmail.com Direct Line: 860-676-1115
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TRAINING LIABILITY MUNICIPALITIES MAY BE HELD LIABLE FOR DELIBERATE INDIFFERENCE TO A TRAINING NEED IS IT LIKELY THAT A CONSTITUTIONAL HARM WILL OCCUR IF TRAINING IS NOT PROVIDED? CANTON V. HARRIS BROWN V. BRYAN COUNTY
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MUNICIPALITY LIABILTY TESTS 1.Do you know to a moral certainty that officials perform the TASK in question? 2.Does the task present a DIFFICULT CHOICE (not mere common sense) OR is there a HISTORY of mishandling the task? 3.Will the wrong choice likely lead to a CONSTITUTIONAL HARM?
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REAL REASONS FOR PROVIDING TRAINING AND RESOURCES TO REDUCE: 1.Trauma to families; 2.Trauma to officers; 3.Cost to taxpayers; 4.Officers’ time; 5.Investigations; and 6.Litigation.
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INITIAL ENCOUNTER 1.CONSENSUAL ENCOUNTER 2.STOP: REASONABLE SUSPICION OR PROBABLE CAUSE
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COMMUNICATIONS Communication personnel should at a minimum determine: 1.The nature of the incident & involved parties; 2.Weapons; 3.Injuries; 4.Location of the parties; 5.ID of caller and call back information (in critical incidents stay on line until officers arrive if possible)
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CUSTODY ISSUES 1.Probable Cause 2.Emotionally disturbed AND a danger to him/herself or others; OR gravely disabled AND in need of immediate care and treatment.
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CUSTODY ISSUES 1.What type of danger will justify taking a person into custody? 2.Choosing between Fourth Amendment violation AND Failure to Protect claim 3.Sick and dying but coherent 4.Providing medications
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FORCED ENTRIES 1.Court order to take person into custody a. In their home b. In third party’s home 2. POTENTIAL HARM
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USE OF FORCE GRAHAM v. CONNOR: Reasonableness Test 1. Severity of Offense 2. Immediate Harm 3. Resistance Saucier v. Katz: Qualified Immunity Hope v. Pelzar: Notice Issue
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AVOIDING EXCESSIVE FORCE CLAIMS 1.Ask how can situation be handled without use of force; 2.Any force used without a legitimate governmental purpose is unreasonable; 3.Stop others from using excessive force; 4.Control emotions and avoid using offensive language; 5.Write detailed-truthful-complete reports; and 6.Maintain professional demeanor and show you care.
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USE LESS LETHALS TASERS and O/C SPRAYS 1.Reduce injuries to suspects and officers; 2.Reduce excessive force claims; 3.Use before physically engaging OR using more harmful weapons when feasible 4.Deaths are rarely attributable to less lethals
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DEADLY FORCE 1.Suicide by Cop 2.Gun Threats 3.Knives and Impact Weapons 4.No Weapons 5.Bottom-line: Risk of Serious Injury
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SUPERVISORY ISSUES 1.Direct Participation 2.Ordering Others 3.Duty to Control KNOWLEDGE OF WRONGDOING AND FAILURE TO ACT
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