Police Law in a Nutshell
By Brian MacMaster
Welcome to Police Law in a Nutshell with Brian MacMaster!
Published here once a month, Brian breaks down complex and evolving topics in a straightforward, usable way for law enforcement professionals. Subjects range from qualified immunity and new Maine statutes to vehicle stops, searches, and the broader legal landscape officers face in the field.
The goal of this blog is simple: to provide timely, relevant, and practical information that helps officers stay informed, make sound decisions, and confidently navigate the challenges of modern policing.
Police Law in a Nutshell: Anticipatory Search Warrants
Most search warrants are issued only after probable cause already exists that evidence of a crime will be found at a particular location. An anticipatory search warrant is different. It allows a judge to authorize a future search when probable cause does not yet exist...
Police Law in a Nutshell: The Plain View Exception to the Warrant Requirement
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...
Police Law in a Nutshell: Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement
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...
Police Law in a Nutshell: The New Law Limiting State and Local Support of Immigration Enforcement
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...
Police Law in a Nutshell: Deadly Force Review Panel
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...
Police Law in a Nutshell: Some Retrospective Observations from Over 50 Years of Policing
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...
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