In a contentious midterm election year, emotions are running high for Americans of all political persuasions and law enforcement officers are no exception. On duty or off duty, usually through social media, officers have been vocal and are likely to continue expressing their political opinions. 

Officers and agency leaders should be cautious in balancing officers’ First Amendment rights against the agency’s legitimate interest in maintaining effective operations. That agency interest includes ensuring that officers’ statements in view of the public are consistent with fundamental agency values. The stakes can be extremely high in this area of personnel management as careers can be placed at risk.

 In this webinar, Attorney Matt Dolan will discuss:

• Court guidance on the limits on First Amendment protections for speech by law enforcement officers
• Conduct Unbecoming policies in an election year
• Public versus private political speech
• The nexus between political speech and officers’ official duties
• The legal justifications for lawful restraints that can be placed on law enforcement officers