The ILEETA Learning Lab
The Learning Lab is a series of 60 minute interviews with ILEETA Conference presenters discussing the key teaching point takeaways from their conference presentation. These interviews are packed with great content and created to serve as weekly professional development training for ILEETA members.
The ILEETA Learning Lab
05: ILEETA Learning Lab: Graham Tinius - Top Ten Case Laws Every (Field Training) Officer Should Know
Host: Brian Wills, Deputy Executive Director of ILEETA
Guest: Graham Tinius, Officer with the Sandy Police Department in Utah
Episode Summary: In this episode of the ILEETA Learning Lab podcast, host Brian Wills interviews Graham Tinius, an experienced officer and executive board member of the National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO). They discuss the top 10 case laws every Field Training Officer (FTO) should know, focusing on how these legal precedents impact daily control activities and the importance of integrating case law knowledge into police report writing and training.
Key Discussion Points:
- Introduction to Graham Tinius:
- 18 years of law enforcement experience, primarily in field training.
- Executive board member of NAFTO since 2006.
- Experienced in writing and teaching various classes including adult learning, leadership, motivation, and influence.
- Importance of Understanding Case Law:
- The necessity for officers to relate their actions to specific case laws for defensibility.
- Integration of legal knowledge into report writing to ensure accurate documentation and defense in court.
- Key Case Laws Discussed:
- Graham v. Connor: Focuses on the use of force and the three prongs that justify its use: severity of the crime, immediate threat, and active resistance or escape attempts.
- Arizona v. Gant: Limits the ability to search a vehicle incident to arrest unless specific conditions are met.
- Rodriguez v. United States: Prohibits extending a traffic stop beyond the time needed to handle the initial violation without reasonable suspicion of another crime.
- Illinois v. Wardlow: Establishes that unprovoked flight in a high crime area can contribute to reasonable suspicion for a stop.
- Florida v. Bostick: Determines that consent searches on buses do not constitute a seizure if a reasonable person feels free to deny the search.
- Pennsylvania v. Mimms: Grants officers the authority to order drivers out of their vehicles during traffic stops.
- Report Writing and Training:
- Emphasizing the need for detailed and consistent report writing that references specific case laws.
- The role of FTOs in training new officers to understand and apply legal principles in their documentation.
- Researching Case Laws:
- Recommendations for officers to use resources like Google Scholar, Justia, and FindLaw to stay updated on relevant case laws.
- Importance of discussing interpretations with legal advisors to ensure accurate understanding and application.
- Advice for Trainers:
- Focus on the trainee’s needs and background.
- Customize training based on the unique concerns and experiences of the trainees.
Contact Information:
- Graham Tinius: Training Coordinator at NAFTO, email: training@nafto.org
- ILEETA Membership Information: Visit ILEETA.org or contact Jenny Merlin at JMerlin@ileeta.org for bundle memberships.
Closing Remarks:
- Brian Wills emphasizes the importance of being an effective trainer and encourages listeners to take actionable steps based on the interview.
- Thanks to Graham Tinius for his contributions to law enforcement training and the ILEETA community.
Call to Action:
- Join the ILEETA community to gain full access to professional development resources and connect with fellow trainers dedicated to advancing law enforcement training. Visit ILEETA.org for more information.