Posted by: jgomori Posted date: November 16, 2022

NAPO filed a new amicus brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit (Texas) asking the entire Court of Appeals to rehear a case involving the ability of officers to defend themselves, using force when reasonably believed necessary. NAPO believes the three-judge panel of the Court got their decision wrong.

The case involved a person who was refusing to comply with the officers’ lawful instructions and used a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon to strike and run over at least one officer.

“We believe the panel’s decision conflicts with the federal constitutional law as enunciated by the Supreme Court and that the panel deviated from following the constitution in favor of adopting ‘woke’ ideas about policing,” NAPO Executive Director Bill Johnson wrote in an email to members. “It seems as if the panel would prefer a society where officers would need to ignore obvious violations of the law that happen right in front of them if the offender(s) indicate they do not wish to obey the police. Obviously, we hope that the full Court of Appeals agrees to review and overturn the panel’s decision.”

Please see the amicus brief below for more information.