The Law Officers Pocket Manual, 2017 Edition

Never before have greater or more conflicting demands been placed on those who serve, as well as those who train in law enforcement. The recent fiscal crises, coupled with an increased need for homeland security, have seriously complicated how police officers perform their duties, and made the consequences for errors in police performance more severe for both the officers involved and their superiors. Factor in the danger and stress police officers like you face in your daily work, and your decisions in even the most common of situations become a challenge. Regardless of the adversity you face, however, you are still required to think quickly, respond appropriately, and know the law. The Pocket Manual highlights basic rules for quick reference and offers examples showing how rules are applied and concise guidance based on U.S. Supreme Court rulings on constitutional law issues and other legal develop ments, covering arrest, search, surveillance, and other routine, as well as sensitive, areas of law enforcement. The 2017 Edition of the Manual reflects the U.S. Supreme Court s recent decisions on: Application of the exclusionary rule, where the police execute an unlawful stop of a pedestrian, but then a valid arrest warrant is discovered during the detention Whether officers who arrest a motorist for DUI need a warrant before compelling the driver to take a breathalyzer test Whether officers need a warrant before requiring a driver to submit to a blood draw Robert E. Wilhelm is a Legal Editor of Bloomberg BNA s Criminal Law Reporter and White Collar Crime Report. With more than 100 practical examples drawn from the facts of leading cases, The Law Officer s Pocket Manual provides specific guidance on how to act on the spot in a wide variety of situations. Written in plain English, the Pocket Manual highlights basic rules for quick reference and offers examples showing how rules are applied.