Questionable Immunity
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 137A
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Deadly Force, Immunity, Culpability
Abstract
Do military personnel have more restrictions on use of deadly force than domestic police? When you put on a uniform for work, and carry a sidearm, the public places great trust in the decisions you will make. Military personnel and police officers are afforded this trust, in which they are expected to do their jobs appropriately. What happens when one or the other breaks this trust and uses deadly force in the accomplishment of their jobs? It seems, in most cases, police officers are afforded qualified immunity when it comes to fatal shooting incidents, whereas military personnel are not afforded the same consideration. Do police officers experience more autonomy, while military personnel experience more bureaucracy? Do we expect more control over deadly use of force from our military personnel versus what we expect out of our police officers? These questions will be explored through statutes, case law, regulations, and recent incidents. With events happening in many departments and United States’ forces still deployed overseas, it is important to address these questions. Through education and understanding, a possibility for effective change can take place.
Recommended Citation
Bertomeu, Christopher, "Questionable Immunity" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 103.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/oralpresentations/103
Department/Program
Law & Justice
Additional Mentoring Department
Law & Justice
Questionable Immunity
SURC 137A
Do military personnel have more restrictions on use of deadly force than domestic police? When you put on a uniform for work, and carry a sidearm, the public places great trust in the decisions you will make. Military personnel and police officers are afforded this trust, in which they are expected to do their jobs appropriately. What happens when one or the other breaks this trust and uses deadly force in the accomplishment of their jobs? It seems, in most cases, police officers are afforded qualified immunity when it comes to fatal shooting incidents, whereas military personnel are not afforded the same consideration. Do police officers experience more autonomy, while military personnel experience more bureaucracy? Do we expect more control over deadly use of force from our military personnel versus what we expect out of our police officers? These questions will be explored through statutes, case law, regulations, and recent incidents. With events happening in many departments and United States’ forces still deployed overseas, it is important to address these questions. Through education and understanding, a possibility for effective change can take place.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Charles Reasons