Police liability claims are on the rise. Do you have the knowledge to handle this type of case from start to finish? Are you up to date with the ins and outs of state and federal law involving civil actions against police departments and officers? Learn how to overcome any obstacle you may encounter with a police liability claim – order today!

1. Overview of State Law Involving Civil Actions Against Police Departments and Officers
2. Overview of Federal Law
3. Common Liability Issues
4. Understanding the Police Investigation and Disciplinary Process
5. Filing of a Civil Action
6. Defending a Police Liability Claim

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. Overview of State Law Involving Civil Actions Against Police Departments and Officers
   9:00 - 10:00, Alvin C. Paulson
   1. Forms of Immunity
   2. Criminal Procedure Rules Regarding Arrest, and Search and Seizure
   3. State Laws or Attorney General Opinions Regarding Use of Force
   4. Current Case Law
2. Overview of Federal Law
   10:15 - 11:15, Bruce Carr
   1. Liability under §1983
   2. History
   3. Elements
   4. Defenses
   5. Current Case Law
3. Common Liability Issues
   11:15 - 12:15, Charles A. Pierce
   1. Excessive Force
   2. Pursuit
   3. Wrongful Arrest and Malicious Prosecution
   4. False Imprisonment
   5. Shooting Incidents
   6. Automobile Incidents
   7. Detainee Suicides
   8. Off-Duty Activities
   9. Vicarious Liability of Supervisors and Department
4. Understanding the Police Investigation and Disciplinary Process
   1:15 - 2:15, Alvin C. Paulson
   1. What Documents are Available for Discovery?
   2. Is a Civilian Entitled to Any Information during an On-Going Investigation?
   3. The Internal Affairs Process
   4. Subsequent Investigation by Attorney General or Other Governmental Agency
   5. Procedural Protections Due to Law Enforcement Officers
5. Filing of a Civil Action
   2:30 - 3:30, Bruce Carr
   1. Jurisdictions (Federal vs. State)
   2. Sovereign Immunity
   3. Discovery (Interrogatories, Request for Production of Documents, Request for Admissions)
   4. Understanding What Documents are "Out There"
   5. Breaking through the "Blue Wall"
   6. Methods for Deposing Police Officers
   7. Development of Case
   8. Finding the Right Expert
6. Defending a Police Liability Claim
   3:30 - 4:30, Charles A. Pierce
   1. Initial Handling
   1. Affirmative Defenses
   2. Immunity (Statutory and Common Law)
   3. Discovery
   4. Motion for Summary Judgment
   5. Trial and Settlement
   6. Appeals

BRUCE CARR is a partner with Rex Carr Law Firm, LLC, where his main areas of practice are civil rights, Chapter 13 adversarial proceedings and consumer protection. Mr. Carr has previously lectured on jury selection for the Lake County Bar Association in Indiana. He is a member of the Indiana State and Illinois State bar associations, and Indiana Trial lawyers Association and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Carr earned his B.A. degree, with honors, from Southern Illinois University and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Valparaiso University School of Law.

ALVIN C. PAULSON is an attorney with Becker, Paulson, Hoerner & Thompson P.C. Mr. Paulson graduated, cum laude, from St. Louis University School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Paulson's affiliations include memberships in the St. Clair County Bar Association (Board of Directors 1990-1992), East St. Louis and Illinois State bar associations, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. He has served as a member of the Local Government Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Associations and serves as the city attorney for the City of Fairview Heights and the City of Mascoutah. Mr. Paulson also serves as an assistant state's attorney for St. Clair County, Illinois and defends the county in all of its civil cases. In addition, He is legal counsel for the Illinois County Insurance Trust, representing the counties of: Bond, Christian, Clinton, Coles Cumberland, Edwards, Fayette, Jersey, Monroe, Randolph, Shelby and Williamson. Mr. Paulson concentrates his practice in litigation. He has tried major civil cases in Illinois and Missouri state and federal courts in the area of municipal defense and has tried numerous civil rights cases for his municipal clients.

CHARLES A. PIERCE is the founding partner of Pierce Law Firm, P.C. He has a long track record of handling complex and high-profile litigation. Mr. Pierce has tried a broad range of cases, including medical malpractice claims, products liability and civil rights. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and The Missouri Bar. His is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, and U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit. Mr. Pierce earned his B.S. degree from the University of Iowa and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com