Quote:
Originally Posted by ET2SN
If I see three dudes getting ready to rob a liquor store and I decide to hang out with them, my ### is going to the clink. 
Really, this isn't hard to figure out.  |
The plaintiffs were not involved in anything unlawful they were peaceably exercising their constitutional right. The plaintiffs were afraid of an unruly mob and the police in question refused the use of a safe alternative exit. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs saying that by forcing the plaintiffs into the fray it caused a “state created danger”. Which is why those police lost their qualified immunity and can now be sued for their choices.
A police officer has to personally and knowingly really screw things up for themselves and others to lose their qualified immunity. So my question stands were the officers involved knowingly trying to escalate an already bad situation or were they just plain stupid?