What must officers do to maintain qualified immunity from civil liability?

To maintain qualified immunity from civil liability, officers must act in accordance with the law and agency policy. Qualified immunity serves as a legal shield for police officers against lawsuits for actions taken while performing their official duties, provided those actions do not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.

When officers conform their conduct to the law and the policies established by their agency, they demonstrate that they are undertaking their duties in a lawful manner. This adherence indicates that their actions are aligned with both legal standards and the organizational framework, which is critical for establishing that they acted reasonably under the circumstances. Therefore, following the law and agency protocols is essential in preserving the protections offered by qualified immunity, ensuring that officers are not held personally liable for actions that were legally justified at the time they were taken.

In contrast, consulting with legal advisors, avoiding high-pressure situations, or limiting actions strictly to community outreach do not inherently provide the necessary legal basis to support claims of qualified immunity. These options may provide additional context or strategies for decision-making but do not directly address the core requirement of acting in compliance with established laws and policies.