Qualified immunity was established as doctrine by the Supreme Court in 1967.
Critics like US Rep. Cori Bush say that qualified immunity shields police officers from accountability.
Manchester, New Hampshire, police unions have previously based a federal endorsement on whether a candidate supports qualified immunity.
A recruitment post from the Manchester Police Department in New Hampshire listed qualified immunity as a “unique benefit” in a call for entry-level and certified applicants.
“Located less than an hour from Boston, Manchester enjoys proximity to great schools and attractions, the beach, and the White Mountains. The department offers many opportunities to advance and additional unique benefits including qualified immunity. Click the link and apply now!” the post read.
Jim Kenyon: Some New Hampshire legislators being bought by the badge
Jim Kenyon. Copyright (c) Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Modified: 1/23/2021 10:28:48 PM
Cops are quick to claim their overarching mission is to protect and serve. In New Hampshire, they’re pretty good at playing politics too.
Over the years, New Hampshire’s state troopers, municipal police officers and police chiefs have used their nonprofit entities to funnel thousands of dollars into lobbying the Legislature and supporting the campaigns of pet lawmakers.
With the 2021 legislative session barely underway, law enforcement groups are already hard at work to pass Senate Bill 39, which would shield cops from increased public scrutiny. The proposed legislation would override a pair of 2020 state Supreme Court decisions intended to improve the odds of the public gaining access to internal investigations into police misconduct, under th