Police Chief Magazine|Columns|Chief's Counsel
Chief’s Counsel: Light Duty, FMLA, and ADA

Many law enforcement executives have had employees who are dealing with serious medical conditions and the associated benefits the employee receives under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).1 Law enforcement executives should be cognizant that under certain circumstances, the FMLA can dovetail with another employment law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).2 While both laws contain protections and prohibitions, the two laws serve different purposes. The FMLA is a law that conveys certain leave benefits to eligible employees under particular circumstances.3 The ADA, by contrast, is an anti-discrimination law that’s purpose “is to eradicate discrimination against persons with disabilities and to ensure equal treatment.”4

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Chief’s Counsel: Beyond Law Enforcement and Guardians

Words matter. The terms used to describe police work—law enforcement, public safety, guardian, protector, or warrior—do more than signal a philosophy. They define the profession’s purpose, s...
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Chief’s Counsel: SCOTUS Affirms Totality Standard in Use-of-Force Cases

On May 15, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Barnes v. Felix, fundamentally altering the legal evaluation of excessive force claims under the Fourth Amendment. The ruling reje...
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Chief’s Counsel: Investigating Transnational Pig Butchering

In 2025, “pig butchering” does not necessarily result in pork chops and bacon. The term now describes a sophisticated cybercrime that combines long-term psychological manipulation with fraudulent ...
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Chief’s Counsel: Challenges to DEI Programs in Policing

In light of the recent U.S. government actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), it is important for police leaders to be mindful of their ongoing obligations to comply with state and...
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Chief’s Counsel: Going Beyond Face Value

Facial recognition technology (FRT) emerged 50 years ago from experiments that measured facial attributes to search for matches on a semi-automated system.1 Modern FRT is an electronic system that us...
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Chief’s Counsel: Investigating Liability

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that criminal defense attorneys provide a minimum quality of service to their clients.1 The attorney need not be perfect but must at least be com...
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Chief’s Counsel: Peer Wellness Programs and Confidentiality

Many police agencies already have or are looking into peer-to-peer counseling programs to assist first responders in dealing with the trauma that accompanies critical incidents. While these programs m...
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Chief’s Counsel: Using an Early Intervention System to Promote Wellness

Recent surveys and studies indicate a notable percentage of police officers experience and are affected by job-related stress and anxiety, in addition to stress stemming from personal matters. These s...
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Chief’s Counsel: Street Takeovers

The image is familiar. A crowd is gathered, yelling and forming a circle around an intersection. Mere feet away, vehicles slide, smoke, and spin, accelerating in a circle at a high rate of speed. Pass...
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Chief’s Counsel: Providing Equal Access During Police Interactions with Individuals with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a U.S. civil rights law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. Title II of the ADA prohibits public entities from excluding any...
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