U.S. Supreme Court rules for officer in police shooting
The U.S. Supreme Court says a New Mexico State Police officer did not violate clearly established law when he shot and killed an armed man without first calling out a warning.
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Elkhart suspends use of police body cameras over problems
A northern Indiana city has temporarily suspended its use of police body cameras because about a quarter of them have malfunctioned and been returned to the manufacturer for service.
Magistrate recommends dismissal of woman’s dog-mauling suit
Despite “horrendous injuries” incurred as a result of “a grievous lack of discretion” by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, a district court magistrate recommends an Indianapolis woman’s federal claim against IMPD and the city of Indianapolis be dismissed because she did not state a legitimate constitutional claim.
Supreme Court, Legislature leave police body camera statute as is
Prosecutors say releasing police video will violate Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
Gun evidence admissibility divides Court of Appeals
In a “he said, she said” case before the Indiana Court of Appeals Thursday, the judges were divided on whether admission of a gun into evidence prejudiced a woman’s convictions of resisting law enforcement and battery against a public safety official and her boyfriend’s battery conviction.
Justices consider cellphone data in 4th Amendment case
Is the act of turning on a cellphone a voluntary agreement to share that data, or do consumers have a right to privacy of the location information collected from their personal devices? The justices of the Indiana Supreme Court heard legal arguments on both sides of that issue during oral arguments in a case on Dec. 8.
Justices to hear case of man convicted of mistreating police dog
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide if South Bend police officers unnecessarily deployed the use of Tasers and a police dog on a man stopped during a traffic pursuit after granting transfer in the case of a man convicted of mistreating K-9 officer.
4 Evansville officers who were suspended won’t face charges
A prosecutor won't charge four Evansville police officers who were suspended following an October arrest.
Justices weigh cellphone data privacy rights in 4th Amendment case
When people turn on their cellphones, they have a general understanding that some data regarding their whereabouts will be collected. But if a person does not know the extent to which that data is collected, then can the court say that such data was voluntarily released by the person, or is there an expected right to privacy?
COA: Law enforcement may not refuse to hire based solely on expunged criminal histories
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that law enforcement agencies are not permitted under state statute to refuse to hire new employees solely because those people have prior criminal histories that have since been expunged.
Judge denies summary judgment on claim of sex discrimination by state police
A federal judge has denied summary judgment in favor of Indiana State Police in a sex discrimination case, finding that a former officer’s evidence in the case creates a factual dispute about her claim that the department decline to hire her for a civilian position after her retirement because she is a woman.
Lake County sheriff, Portage mayor charged in towing-bribe schemes
Lake County Sheriff and county Democratic Party Chairman John Buncich and Portage Mayor James Snyder have been indicted on public corruption and bribery charges handed down by a grand jury.
COA: Officers don’t have to relay specifics of their ‘reasonable suspicions’
Deciding that police officers do not have to relay the specific details of their reasons for being suspicious of a person before an officer stops and detains that person, the Indiana Court of Appeals has rejected a man’s argument that evidence of his possession of a handgun was improperly admitted.
Jury acquits 2 Indianapolis officers of beating veteran
A jury has acquitted two Indianapolis police officers of battery after they allegedly assaulted a veteran, leaving him unconscious outside a bar.
New law creates murkiness on private university police records
The Indiana Supreme Court left no doubt that it considered the Notre Dame Police Department exempt from the Access to Public Records Act when it affirmed dismissal of ESPN’s lawsuit seeking records of the department’s interactions with 275 student athletes. But a bill signed into law this year dealing with access to police body cameras could change that.
Justices dismiss ESPN suit, find Notre Dame police not public agency
Notre Dame Police are not a public agency, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, turning back a lawsuit from ESPN that sought records of the university police’s interactions with student athletes. The ruling means Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act does not apply to university police at private institutions.
Judge jails ex-Vigo County sheriff’s deputy, citing risk to public safety
A federal judge ordered a former Vigo County sheriff deputy’s pretrial detention because the officer posed a danger to public safety for threatening to kill potential witnesses, and because the evidence against him in a kickbacks case indicates “that he believes he can operate outside of the law.”
Ex-deputy’s suit against Marion County deputy prosecutor proceeds
A former Marion County deputy sheriff’s malicious prosecution lawsuit will proceed against a deputy prosecutor he claims pressed for a misconduct investigation against him at the request of a show-business connection.
Marion County’s new electronic system speeds process for searches
Police working a crime scene who need a search warrant sometimes feel they can’t wait, but they often have no choice. For law enforcement agencies in Marion County, though, the wait is decreasing due to a new electronic system for requesting and approving search warrants.
Trump could reshape Justice Department’s civil rights focus
A Donald Trump administration could radically reshape the Justice Department, particularly civil rights efforts that became one of its most pressing and high-profile priorities over the past eight years.