KY POST key terms

A brief seizure of a person based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, during which an officer may ask questions and, if warranted by safety concerns, conduct a limited pat-down for weapons.

Specific, articulable facts plus rational inferences that would lead a reasonable officer to believe criminal activity is afoot or has occurred; a lower standard than probable cause.

Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe an offense has been committed and that a particular person committed it, or that evidence will be found in a specific place.

The doctrine barring the prosecution from using evidence obtained through unconstitutional government action, subject to exceptions such as good faith, inevitable discovery, and attenuation.

Derivative evidence discovered only because of an earlier unconstitutional search or seizure; it is generally suppressed unless an exception breaks the causal link.

Advice given before custodial interrogation that the suspect may remain silent, that statements may be used against them, and that counsel is available; waiver must be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.

Questioning or its functional equivalent by officers after a person has been formally arrested or restrained to a degree associated with arrest, triggering Miranda requirements.

The standard of judging an event by all surrounding facts rather than any single factor, used for reasonable suspicion, probable cause, consent, and voluntariness analyses.

A warrantless search permitted when a person with authority over the area gives voluntary consent; the state must prove voluntariness, and consent may be limited or withdrawn.

Allows warrantless seizure of evidence when an officer is lawfully present, the item's incriminating character is immediately apparent, and the officer has lawful access to it.

Urgent conditions such as imminent danger, hot pursuit, or likely destruction of evidence that justify a warrantless entry or search otherwise requiring a warrant.

The non-investigative role of police in protecting the public, such as checking on stranded motorists or persons in distress; it can justify limited intrusion without criminal suspicion.

Permits warrantless entry when officers reasonably believe a person inside is seriously injured or in imminent danger and needs immediate assistance.

The constitutional use-of-force test asking whether a reasonable officer on the scene, judged from that moment without hindsight, would have used similar force under the totality of the circumstances.

Judicial considerations for force: severity of the crime, immediate threat to officers or others, and active resistance or flight, weighed with the totality of the circumstances.

Force that a reasonable officer knows or should know creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury; its use is narrowly limited by law and policy.

Supreme Court decision holding that deadly force may not be used to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect unless the officer has probable cause the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious injury.

Techniques such as time, distance, cover, communication, and tactical repositioning used to reduce the likelihood of force or lower its intensity when feasible.

The principle that the level and duration of force used should correspond to the threat and resistance actually presented, and should stop when resistance stops.

The obligation of officers to stop and report excessive force by another officer when they observe it and have a realistic opportunity to act.

Exculpatory or impeaching evidence in the government's possession that must be disclosed to the defense under the constitutional guarantee of due process.

The documented, unbroken record of who handled evidence, when, and for what purpose, from collection through court presentation, used to show integrity and authenticity.

A written record listing each item collected, its description and location, the collector, and every transfer, supporting later testimony about the item's condition.

The chronological, first-person account in a police report describing what the officer observed, said, and did, using specific facts and avoiding conclusions or opinions.

A required written account documenting the circumstances, type, duration, and effects of force used, and the officer's observations and de-escalation efforts before it.

A judicial order authorizing seizure of a named or described person based on sworn facts showing probable cause that the person committed an offense.

The sworn written statement of facts presented to a judge to establish probable cause for a search, describing the place, items, and supporting circumstances.

State law governing release of government records, including police reports, subject to statutory exemptions for active investigations, personal privacy, and juvenile matters.

Statutory and policy limits on releasing records and identifying information about minors in the juvenile justice system, protecting rehabilitation over public exposure.

The legal duty of officers and other professionals to notify designated authorities of suspected child abuse, neglect, or other specified harms.

Statutory allowances for authorized emergency vehicles, such as proceeding past signals, exceeding speed limits, or parking, available only when using lights and siren and with due regard for safety.

The legal standard requiring emergency drivers to operate with reasonable care for the safety of others despite statutory exemptions from certain traffic laws.

Agency rules governing when and how officers may pursue fleeing vehicles, including authorization, supervisory control, termination criteria, and permissible tactics.

Selecting or treating a person for enforcement action based on race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than behavior or specific, credible information.

Unconscious associations or attitudes that can influence perception, decisions, and behavior; recognizing them supports fair and consistent enforcement.

The idea that people accept police authority more readily when decisions are made through fair processes, with voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives.

The formal hierarchy through which orders, information, and accountability flow, from line officers through supervisors to the chief executive.

The supervisory principle that each subordinate reports to one clear supervisor for a given task, preventing conflicting orders and unclear accountability.

The number of subordinates a supervisor can effectively direct, which varies with task complexity, officer experience, and geographic dispersion.

A data-based supervisory tool that flags officers showing patterns of complaints, force, or crashes and prompts review, training, or counseling before problems escalate.

Programs and practices addressing officer physical and mental health, including critical incident stress debriefing, confidential peer support, and access to employee assistance resources.