by Brian MacMaster | Apr 27, 2026 | Police Law in a Nutshell
The Plain View Exception to the Warrant Requirement An officer who is lawfully present in a location may make a warrantless seizure of an item for which there is probable cause to believe is contraband or evidence of a crime, provided that the officer has a lawful...
by Brian MacMaster | Mar 18, 2026 | Police Law in a Nutshell
What It Is Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine established by the U.S. Supreme Court that shields government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal lawsuits seeking monetary damages unless they violate “clearly established” constitutional or...
by Brian MacMaster | Feb 24, 2026 | Police Law in a Nutshell
Introduction LD 1971, “An Act to Protect Workers in This State by Clarifying the Relationship Between State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Federal Immigration Authorities,” takes effect in mid-July 2026 (specifically, 90 days after the current legislative...
by Brian MacMaster | Jan 29, 2026 | Police Law in a Nutshell
By Brian MacMaster The creation of the Deadly Force Review Panel was the result of legislation passed in 2019. The original bill, introduced by Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos of Friendship, called for an independent board to review investigations of all officer-involved...
by Brian MacMaster | Jan 5, 2026 | Police Law in a Nutshell
While the tools and procedures have evolved, the principles of diligent, thoughtful policing and the importance of clear communication have remained constant. Having been in law enforcement for 55 years, I have often been asked about the differences in policing...
by Brian MacMaster | Dec 3, 2025 | Police Law in a Nutshell
By Brian MacMaster Vehicle Stops Constitute Seizures Vehicle stops make up a significant part of any patrol officer’s duties. The law surrounding vehicle stops, especially the extent of an officer’s permissible actions and the authorized duration of a stop, is not...
