Jackson v. United States

This case raises troubling issues regarding measures a police officer may take to protect his or her life and safety during a traffic stop. We recognize in considering this issue that no matter how laudable the goal of any law enforcement effort may be, it must be conducted in a manner consistent with the liberties of our people guaranteed by the Constitution. I disagree with the majority opinion’s analysis of whether the officer’s conduct was “reasonable” because the analysis gives too little weight to the safety and life of the investigating officer.1

A restatement of the facts will assist…