Gov. Grants Right to Defend Against Police
By: Robert Bumsted
Updated: March 23, 2012
Governor Daniels was applauded by many civil libertarians this wee for signing "senate bill one"
The law gives homeowners the right to use force against a police officer if the person believes the officer is entering his/her home illegally.
Proponents of the new law say that it gives the public the right to defend against a rogue officer. But opponents say it could end up doing more harm than good if the law is mis-interpreted by the public.
"There are still individuals out there who believe police officers always need a warrant to enter a house, but that's just not the case," says Prof. Steve Hundersmarck, head of the School of Criminal Justice at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.
Hundersmarck believes the law will result in more injured police officers, and a reluctance among some officers to enter a home if they believe the occupant is willing to use force.
Governor Daniels tells WFFT he understands the public's concerns, but believes the law accomplishes more good than bad.
The law gives homeowners the right to use force against a police officer if the person believes the officer is entering his/her home illegally.
Proponents of the new law say that it gives the public the right to defend against a rogue officer. But opponents say it could end up doing more harm than good if the law is mis-interpreted by the public.
"There are still individuals out there who believe police officers always need a warrant to enter a house, but that's just not the case," says Prof. Steve Hundersmarck, head of the School of Criminal Justice at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.
Hundersmarck believes the law will result in more injured police officers, and a reluctance among some officers to enter a home if they believe the occupant is willing to use force.
Governor Daniels tells WFFT he understands the public's concerns, but believes the law accomplishes more good than bad.
