As I pursue Law Enforcement Opportunities, I continue to take notice of how oftentimes when a LEO defends him or herself, the attacker [or family of attacker] later sues not only the Department and City [or County/State], but personally sues the officer. My questions are:
· Does the Department defend the officer upon a personal civil suit?
· Does the fact that knowing these types of law suits are possible, even if you are in the right, might cause you to hesitate in a defense situation…just at the critically wrong time?
· Does the current atmosphere ever make you question continuing on with LE work?
I have relatives who worry that I may get killed or seriously hurt while I’m on Auxiliary Police duty, or if I further my career as a sworn officer. I don’t share that fear. But what sometimes concerns me is the civil law issue....when I hear talk like: “If you use that ASP on someone, they’re going to sue the #&[email protected] out of you.†Or “If you OC someone, they'll try and take your house†etc.
That kind of talk tends to work on someone. Not that it is detouring me from staying the course with my carreer goals, but it does get me to pause a bit. Just wanted to know how the folks in the field view this side of the law. It’s a shame that this should even become a topic.
· Does the Department defend the officer upon a personal civil suit?
· Does the fact that knowing these types of law suits are possible, even if you are in the right, might cause you to hesitate in a defense situation…just at the critically wrong time?
· Does the current atmosphere ever make you question continuing on with LE work?
I have relatives who worry that I may get killed or seriously hurt while I’m on Auxiliary Police duty, or if I further my career as a sworn officer. I don’t share that fear. But what sometimes concerns me is the civil law issue....when I hear talk like: “If you use that ASP on someone, they’re going to sue the #&[email protected] out of you.†Or “If you OC someone, they'll try and take your house†etc.
That kind of talk tends to work on someone. Not that it is detouring me from staying the course with my carreer goals, but it does get me to pause a bit. Just wanted to know how the folks in the field view this side of the law. It’s a shame that this should even become a topic.
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