Quote:i) A person is justified in using reasonable force against a public servant if the person reasonably believes the force is necessary to:
(1) protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force;
(2) prevent or terminate the public servant's unlawful entry of or attack on the person's dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle; or
(3) prevent or terminate the public servant's unlawful trespass on or criminal interference with property lawfully in the person's possession, lawfully in possession of a member of the person's immediate family, or belonging to a person whose property the person has authority to protect.

http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012...001.1.html

This will be of great comfort to those shot first.

This will empower people who don't understand the basics of the law to attack police.

There are better ways to curb police abuse than to release the rednecks of the world on them.

(02-04-2014 02:07 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This will empower people who don't understand the basics of the law to attack police.

There are better ways to curb police abuse than to release the rednecks of the world on them.

I agree, but at the same time, many officers have abused their power with only a brief leave as 'punishment' to some seriously heinous allegations. Maybe this will make police think twice before ordering people around because, "I'M DA POLICE".

I would love to hear some reasonable examples to curb police abuse.

I agree with the law 100%.

Works for me, but cops are armed like the military these days. I don't think this will go well in general.

Read a report yesterday (can't remember/find the link) about the militarization of the police in America. One veteran commander observed that the training being given nowdays is vastly different than before and is creating a gang-like mentality, an idea of might makes right. He doesn't like it.

We read far too many cases of cops busting into the wrong place and shooting some poor sucker who was terrified as he woke up that his house was being invaded. In one case a few years back in Denver, cops killed a man they thought was reaching for a gun. Turns out he had a can of Coke in his hand. Not much of anything happened to those police officers, other than a slap on the wrist.

Good for Indiana. It is not only the cops who have rights. The citizens do, as well. Might make LE rethink their tactics.

This cuts two ways; an innocent person can defend himself when his door is kicked in without waiting to see if it's the police or a home invasion. On the flip side, a gang banger can use the same defense when his door is kicked in by the police. But how about this: What about the part about protecting a third person? If I see a cop roughing up a guy in a real bad way, can I take action against him? The law says yes. But can I trust it?

As was said above, the police will have to rethink their tactics.

(02-04-2014 02:49 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  This cuts two ways; an innocent person can defend himself when his door is kicked in without waiting to see if it's the police or a home invasion. On the flip side, a gang banger can use the same defense when his door is kicked in by the police. But how about this: What about the part about protecting a third person? If I see a cop roughing up a guy in a real bad way, can I take action against him? The law says yes. But can I trust it?

As was said above, the police will have to rethink their tactics.

You'd have to decide real quick if what was going on was actually unlawful.

If a cop was trying to arrest somebody legally and wound up getting into a fight and you came across it and assumed "ass hole cop" then your jumping in would still get you in some serious trouble.

The trick is most people, either for lack of legal knowledge or situational awareness, aren't able to decide what is lawful or unlawful on a given sotuation. That's why this is a poorly written law.

Curbing police abuse is valid and pressing but opening them up to attack by idiots isn't the answer.

Nice, the way you paint people as idiots. Lots are but not all.

I as a citizen wouldn't jump into any altercation between a cop and somebody else no matter what that law says. Even if I saw the whole thing from the beginning. I might tape it but would not jump in on either side.

(02-04-2014 03:00 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  Nice, the way you paint people as idiots. Lots are but not all.

I as a citizen wouldn't jump into any altercation between a cop and somebody else no matter what that law says. Even if I saw the whole thing from the beginning. I might tape it but would not jump in on either side.

If cops crash through your front door claiming they have a warrant and you start shooting because you know you're a law abiding citizen and there must be a mistake what do you think happens?

The average citizen isn't prepared to make the call that this law requires of them.

(02-04-2014 12:55 PM)Smaug Wrote:  This will be of great comfort to those shot first.

My first thought was that you'd be happy you won your court case as you lie in your coffin.

(02-04-2014 03:08 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-04-2014 03:00 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  Nice, the way you paint people as idiots. Lots are but not all.

I as a citizen wouldn't jump into any altercation between a cop and somebody else no matter what that law says. Even if I saw the whole thing from the beginning. I might tape it but would not jump in on either side.

If cops crash through your front door claiming they have a warrant and you start shooting because you know you're a law abiding citizen and there must be a mistake what do you think happens?

The average citizen isn't prepared to make the call that this law requires of them.

99.9999999% of innocent people will abide, hit the floor and get it all figured out at the police station. Cops should never make the mistake of busting down doors at the wrong address, but it happens.

(02-04-2014 02:23 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  Works for me, but cops are armed like the military these days.

So is the general populace.

(02-04-2014 12:55 PM)Smaug Wrote:  This will be of great comfort to those shot first.

Self Defense is already legal. This just will get someone killed by trying self defense.

The police in these situations will rarely be alone. They aren't going to kick your door in by themselves and, even if they're doing something wrong, it's the rest of the force's word against yours.

(02-04-2014 03:08 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-04-2014 03:00 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  Nice, the way you paint people as idiots. Lots are but not all.

I as a citizen wouldn't jump into any altercation between a cop and somebody else no matter what that law says. Even if I saw the whole thing from the beginning. I might tape it but would not jump in on either side.

If cops crash through your front door claiming they have a warrant and you start shooting because you know you're a law abiding citizen and there must be a mistake what do you think happens?

The average citizen isn't prepared to make the call that this law requires of them.

Playing devils advocate here...but do you think the some cops act the way they do because they know they have the law on their side...and by law I mean legally as well as the "buddy" system. If that is the case won't this law somewhat level that playing field?