NCJ Number
192737
Date Published
2002
Length
239 pages
Annotation
This legal guide presents Federal and State constitutional issues and decisions interpreting State constitutions that reflect police authority and power. The guide is designed for law enforcement investigators and administrators in achieving an increased understanding of constitutional law and compliance.
Abstract
In this sixth edition of Legal Guide for Police, law enforcement agencies, specifically officers, investigators, and administrators, are offered familiarization in the Federal and State laws and decisions interpreting State constitutions. Failure to comply with constitutional mandates can, many times, lead to liability on the part of the police officer. However, to avoid such actions and operate under the mandated legal rules of trained professionals, law enforcement agencies must acquire a thorough knowledge of the U.S. Constitution as interpreted by the courts. The guide is divided into eight chapters followed by the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments) and 14th Amendment. The guide begins with a discussion on the effects of failing to comply with constitutional mandates and the limitations on police power. Legal standards relating to detention, arrest, search, questioning suspects, and pretrial identification procedures are identified and reviewed. This guide can be utilized in departmental training programs and in colleges where courses for in-service and pre-service officers are offered. It is recommended that criminal justice personnel stay up-to-date on constitutional law due to its state of constant change. Index